Shelby Chatigny

I attribute much of my success to the incredible mentors I have had throughout my career. Even before joining the military, I faced difficult circumstances, and I would not be where I am today without the women who recognized my potential and helped me see it within myself. I recently attended a Women in Security conference, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. Being surrounded by so many supportive and accomplished women reinforced the importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and creating opportunities for others. Learning to advocate for myself, build my presence on LinkedIn, and intentionally network with women in the industry has been a significant achievement for me because it has opened doors I never imagined possible. One of those opportunities was receiving a grant to attend the conference. I was one of only 13 recipients selected from a highly competitive group of applicants, and that recognition meant a great deal to me. To me, the grant represented more than the opportunity to attend a conference. It was a reflection of the work I have done to find my voice, advocate for myself, and become more visible within the industry. My greatest achievement is now being in a position to use that voice to invest in other women, create opportunities, and help open doors for the next generation of women in security.

The best career advice I have ever received is to understand the importance of both mentorship and sponsorship. When you are early in your career and trying to create a path for yourself, you have to be intentional about putting in the work, building relationships, and creating opportunities to be seen. Mentors can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate important decisions. Sponsors take that support a step further by advocating for you, opening doors, and mentioning your name in rooms you have not yet been invited into. That distinction really resonated with me, and both mentorship and sponsorship have had a tremendous impact on my career. They have helped me grow, gain confidence, expand my network, and access opportunities that may not have been possible otherwise.

My biggest piece of advice is to speak up and advocate for yourself. Women are often natural nurturers, which can sometimes make it difficult to prioritize our own voices and ambitions. If you are new to an industry, especially one that is traditionally male-dominated, do not be afraid to make your ideas heard, ask for opportunities, and communicate what you want for your career. Advocating for yourself can accelerate your growth, attract people who want to support your success, and help you take ownership of your career path. At the same time, mentorship and sponsorship are essential. Building meaningful relationships within your industry can provide guidance, create opportunities, and help you continue moving forward.

I believe one of the biggest challenges in our industry is that many people enter it unexpectedly. They either fall into it, discover it by chance, or begin their careers without fully understanding the range of opportunities available. That can make it difficult to know how to navigate the industry or determine which path is right for them.

That is why mentorship and sponsorship are so important. The right people in your corner can help you better understand the industry, guide you through important career decisions, and introduce you to opportunities you may not have known existed. Over the past five years, I have learned that building those relationships is one of the most effective ways to grow, gain visibility, and intentionally move your career forward.

Integrity is the value that matters most to me. It is easy to talk about integrity, but much harder to consistently live by it. To me, integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching, having difficult conversations when they would be easier to avoid, and taking responsibility when you make a mistake.

That is especially important in sales, an industry that can sometimes carry a negative reputation. In both my personal and professional life, I try to lead with honesty and always act in the best interest of the people I work with. If a solution is not the right fit for a client, I believe you should say so rather than force the opportunity. That level of honesty builds trust and creates stronger, more meaningful relationships over time. We all make mistakes, but integrity means being willing to acknowledge them, learn from them, and grow. In my experience, owning your actions does not weaken your credibility. It strengthens it.