Mari Carmen Gomez Marino

I believe in destiny — I believe that things are meant to be, and coming to the United States was part of mine. When the opportunity arrived, I was prepared, ready, and genuinely excited to embrace it. My greatest professional achievement has been making a complete career transition in my mid-40s — from accounting to cybersecurity — as a minority, a non-native English speaker, and a woman entering a field dominated by men and technology, all while raising young children. I have had my share of challenges along the way, but I have also been fortunate to work alongside remarkable people — men and women alike — who generously helped me understand new concepts and navigate unfamiliar territory. I thrive on challenges. I love solving problems, getting to the root cause of things, and hyper-focusing on what needs to be figured out. That drive, combined with the mentorship I received and the preparation I had built over the years, is what I attribute my success to.

Never have fear to ask questions. It is funny that sometimes we are afraid to ask because we feel that we are going to be seen as the ignorant of the group. And suddenly, somebody comes with the same question that you have, and whoever is answering the question says, that is a great question, and you miss that opportunity of asking that great question. And even if it's not a great question, or nobody acknowledged that it's a great question, you can be the pivot for somebody else to clear the same doubt. There are so many opportunities of getting so much information just by asking questions. There are no silly answers, silly questions. There are just people that just don't want to look silly.

Take risks and be bold. Do not let discouragement — from anyone — slow you down. The men I have worked with throughout my career have largely been kind, supportive, and generous with their guidance, so I encourage you to accept help and mentorship from whoever offers it, regardless of gender. Be open to learning from every person and every experience. Approach your career with humility — do not assume you have all the answers, because the perspectives of others, even those you disagree with, will make you wiser. Listen more than you speak. Even when you do not agree with what is being said, take it in, consider it, and walk away with a broader view of the world. That openness is one of the most powerful tools you can carry into any room.

My biggest personal challenge is that cybersecurity is not my original field — there are still technical concepts I am learning and working to master every day. However, I have come to see that as an advantage as much as a challenge. Because I come from an accounting and audit background rather than engineering, I consistently bring a different perspective to the table — one that complements the thinking of the technical professionals around me. On a broader level, I believe we are in the middle of a meaningful cultural shift in which the industry is increasingly recognizing the capabilities and contributions of women. That gives me a great deal of optimism about where the field is headed.

Honesty, kindness, and compassion are the three values I hold most dear — both professionally and personally. Honesty is foundational for me; I deeply value people who speak the truth with integrity in every relationship. Kindness matters enormously as well, because in a world with so much division and confusion, choosing to be kind to one another makes a real difference. And compassion — the ability to recognize another person's struggle and respond with empathy — is something I believe we need more of today than ever. I am convinced that if more people led with these three values, a great many of the problems we face, at work and in life, would find their resolution.