Heather Phelps, MISM

I attribute my success to curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to service. Throughout my career in technology, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and veteran advocacy, I have focused on continuous learning, building meaningful relationships, and finding connections between people, systems, and ideas. Whether leading teams, supporting fellow veterans, or serving my community, I believe growth comes from staying adaptable, asking questions, and always looking for ways to create a positive impact.

The best career advice I’ve ever received—and the same advice I try to give others—is simple: stay curious and never stop growing. The moment we think we’ve arrived is often the moment we stop learning.

Too many people reach a position, get comfortable, and settle into what they already know. I’ve found that the most successful leaders remain students. They keep asking questions, exploring new ideas, and looking for ways to improve themselves and the organizations they serve.

I’ve also learned that no leader succeeds alone. No matter the title on your door, you only got there because of the people around you. Leadership isn’t about rank, authority, or being the smartest person in the room. It’s about earning trust, serving others, and helping people move in the right direction together.

At the end of the day, leadership is about people. They place their trust in you, and that trust is both a privilege and a responsibility.

The advice I would give to young women entering a traditionally male-dominated industry is to never feel like you have to become someone else to succeed. Your strength is not found in trying to outdo others at being them—it’s found in being authentically yourself.

Work hard, stay curious, continue learning, and strive for excellence in everything you do. Let your knowledge, character, and results speak for themselves. At the same time, don’t lose your femininity, your empathy, or the qualities that make you uniquely you. Those are not weaknesses to overcome; they are strengths that bring valuable perspective, balance, and leadership to any team.

The goal is not to fit into someone else’s mold. The goal is to bring your own talents, experiences, and voice to the table while earning respect through competence, integrity, and consistency. The industry needs diverse thinkers and leaders, and there is room for you to succeed without sacrificing who you are.

One of the biggest challenges facing our industry is the rapid evolution of AI and automation, combined with an increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape. The pace of change is accelerating, and professionals at every level—from entry-level analysts to senior executives—will need to adapt.

For those just entering the field, automation will likely reduce many of the routine tasks that traditionally served as stepping stones for learning the profession. At the same time, leaders will see many administrative and operational functions become more automated, changing how organizations are managed.

However, I also see tremendous opportunity. As technology takes over repetitive work, human skills become even more valuable. Critical thinking, sound judgment, communication, leadership, and the ability to build trust will be what differentiates successful professionals. The future will belong to those who can combine technical expertise with the ability to lead people through change.

Beyond the workplace, I believe we will also see a growing need for community engagement, mentorship, and service. As industries transform, organizations and leaders will have an important role in helping people navigate transitions, develop new skills, and remain connected to meaningful opportunities. Technology may change how we work, but people will always need leadership, purpose, and community.

The values that are most important to me are honesty, integrity, courage, and commitment. These principles were first instilled in me by my mother and later reinforced during my service in the Navy, where they became the foundation for how I approach life and leadership.

I believe in staying humble and conducting yourself honorably in everything you do. Integrity means doing the right thing even when it’s difficult and maintaining your principles regardless of who is watching. Courage is having the strength to step up when something isn’t right, stand up for others, and help when help is needed.

Commitment is about staying true to your responsibilities, your team, and your values. It’s easy to stay committed when things are going well; the real test is remaining committed when circumstances become difficult. Those principles have guided me throughout my military service, professional career, and community leadership.