Michele Leung
Michele Leung is a seasoned marketing executive with over 13–14 years of experience in the technology industry, specializing in cybersecurity, product marketing, and AI-driven business strategy. Currently serving as SVP of Marketing at an AI-native cybersecurity company, she leads the organization’s global marketing function, shaping go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, and growth initiatives in a rapidly evolving technical landscape. Her work sits at the intersection of marketing, product strategy, and business development, with a strong focus on translating complex technologies into clear value for customers.
Michele began her career in product marketing, where her curiosity and love for fast-moving environments drew her deeper into the tech industry. Over the years, she advanced through leadership roles at companies including SAP Concur, Tanium, Illumio, and Contrast Security, consistently expanding her scope across global go-to-market strategy, customer engagement, and revenue growth. Her background in both marketing and sociology, along with an MBA, has shaped her ability to connect technical innovation with human behavior and market needs, particularly in the cybersecurity space.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, Michele is passionate about building and scaling high-performing teams and mentoring professionals throughout their careers. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, strong follow-through, and commitment to relationship-building. Driven by curiosity, she stays closely engaged with emerging technologies—especially AI and cybersecurity—and focuses on how these innovations are reshaping the way organizations operate, market, and grow in today’s digital world.
• Western Washington University- B.A.
• Western Washington University- M.B.A.
• Purrfect Pals
• Motley Zoo
What do you attribute your success to?
I think as a woman in cybersecurity, which is a very male-dominated industry, one of the things that has really helped me in my career is pushing myself to make sure that I'm heard. I ask questions and I speak up, and I always try and say that no question is a dumb question. I want to make sure that I am present in the conversation. The other thing is relationship building. I really pride myself on building really good relationships, having a good reputation, and following through. I think that's a competency that is sometimes overlooked or not at the forefront, but making sure that I follow through with everything that I say that I'm going to do has been crucial. Those things combined have really helped me get where I am today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
There's one piece of advice that someone gave me way back in the day that still stuck with me, and I still hold this till today. When you're considering something new, like a new project or a new job, and sometimes that's really scary, whether or not you should jump or stay in your current situation, the question they advised me to ask myself is: would you regret leaving, or would you regret going? That's really stuck with me throughout my career. It helps ground me in really thinking about what's the best thing for me, versus just getting advice from other folks. Asking myself that question really helps ground me on what really matters to me, and it weeds out some of the other perceptions or agendas that you're getting from other people.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say it's the ability to have the curiosity and the confidence to ask questions. One of the things I would always recommend is always wanting to learn. That's really the point I'm trying to make. The other piece of advice is to surround yourself with a lot of really strong mentors. I think that's something that has really helped me in my career, and I believe it's crucial for anyone starting out in this industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think it's both a challenge and an opportunity, and that's the impact of AI. It's affecting everyone's roles, buying cycles, and everything in between. One of the things I'm really grappling with myself and diving into with my team is how do we actually leverage AI, both from a marketing standpoint - so how do we market to folks using AI - but also in our day-to-day lives to increase productivity. And then how do we leverage AI to get in front of our target audience as well. There's no right or wrong answer. We're testing things and trying things out, but I think it's a really big opportunity for us. The way that I marketed to folks and did my job even 2 years ago, or even 6 years ago, is very different from how it is today.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Speaking up and being heard is really important to me, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry like cybersecurity. I always try to maintain the mindset that no question is a dumb question, and I push myself to make sure I'm present in the conversation. Building really good relationships is another core value for me. I pride myself on having a good reputation and following through with everything I say I'm going to do. That follow-through and integrity in my commitments is something I consider essential, even though it's sometimes overlooked as a competency. Outside of work, animal welfare is something I'm really big and passionate about, so volunteering and giving back in that area is very meaningful to me.