Ale’s career journey is anything but linear. From her roots as the granddaughter of Mexican farmworkers to advising high school students, to shaping education policy in Washington DC, and finally landing in the world of technology, her story is one of resilience, mentorship, and serendipity.

In this episode Ale shares how her immigrant background shaped her values, why giving back through education became her first calling, and how an unexpected LinkedIn message opened the door to tech. She also reflects on the importance of mentors, the reality of navigating career pivots, and why being brave enough to “make the ask” can change everything.

Whether you are early in your career, considering a pivot, or simply looking for inspiration, Ale’s story proves that purpose, perseverance, and a little bit of luck can create a path you never imagined.

Key Highlights

• Ale’s immigrant roots and values of community and service
• Transition from college advising to education policy work in DC
• How an unexpected LinkedIn message led to a role in edtech
• Lessons on mentorship and how to “be brave and make the ask”
• Reflections on luck, preparation, and building a career with purpose
• Ale’s thoughts on balance, gardening, and stepping away from tech to recharge

Book Recommendations
That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph (Netflix co-founder) — an inside look at the startup world and building something unexpected

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In this inspiring episode of Inclusive Cyber, Lorena Mejia, CEO & Founder of Unleashing the Lion in Us, shares how she went from entry-level roles to becoming a leader in technology, cybersecurity, and AI. Lorena opens up about the importance of curiosity, self-advocacy, and mentorship, and why closing the digital divide is critical to building equitable, responsible AI.

We cover:

• Lorena’s unconventional path to tech and cybersecurity
• How curiosity and mentorship became her superpowers
• Why representation matters in AI and cybersecurity
• Breaking into cyber without a “traditional” degree
• Responsible AI, equity, and security by design
• Entrepreneurship and building a purpose-driven company

Book Recommendations:

• Bringing Your Authentic Self: Tattoos, Pearls, and All to the Boardroom – Miriam Simone
• A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step Into Your Power – Aurelia Dávila Pratt
• The Inclusive Organization – Netta Jenkins

Connect with Lorena:

• 🌐 Website: https://unleashingthelioninus.com/
  
• 📅 Free Consultations: Book via Calendly https://calendly.com/mejia-lore-m_unleashingthelioninus/45?month=2025-09
• 📸 Instagram: @unleashingthelioninus
  
• 🎤 Open for keynote speaking, podcasts, and collaborations

Connect with Danny / Inclusive Cyber:

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Daniel Magallanes
  
  
• 🎥 YouTube: Inclusive Cyber Podcast

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to claim your seat at the table and help build a more inclusive future for tech, AI, and cybersecurity.

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Alexis Dieter, working in Offensive Cyber Operations, proves there’s no one “right” way into cyber. After 13 years in bartending, Alexis pivoted careers, went back to school, and is now thriving in penetration testing all while finishing her degree.

Here are her lessons for anyone looking to break in (or breakthrough):

✅ Life Skills More Important than Tech Skills
Bartending taught her resilience, communication, and tough skin — the real keys to thriving in cyber.

✅ Network = Net Worth
Professors, clubs, conferences, and even old colleagues opened doors to her first internship.

✅ Stay Hungry, But Pace Yourself
Cybersecurity is a marathon. Continuous learning is crucial but burnout is real.

✅ Give Back Early
She leads outreach to women and minorities, proving that lifting others lifts the industry.

✅ Future-Proof Your Career
Alexis is already thinking about quantum computing risks and how they’ll change security in the next decade.

And when it comes to AI?

“AI can write scripts and save me time, but it can’t replace intuition. Offensive security is still very human.”

🚀 Whether you’re a student, a career changer, or a cyber veteran, Alexis’s story is a reminder: your past doesn’t define your future — your curiosity does.

#CybersecurityCareers #PenTesting #OffensiveSecurity #CareerPivot #LifeSkills #Networking #QuantumComputing #AI #GenerativeAI #CybersecurityCommunity #WomenInCyber #InclusiveCyber #futureofwork

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Meet Marivell, a proud Latina from NYC who turned curiosity into a career in cybersecurity, governance, risk & compliance (GRC), and leadership.

🔑 Highlights that resonate:

Curiosity as a Superpower → Asking the “dumb” questions launched her career in tech.

Representation Matters → A Latina voice proving that you don’t need a perfect path: just grit, curiosity, and community.

Breaking Silos → Cybersecurity’s biggest challenge isn’t tech, it’s the lack of collaboration.

GRC Reframed → Policies aren’t boring; they’re the foundation of cybersecurity programs.

Generative AI → Not a threat if you have foundational knowledge but a danger if you don’t.

Mentorship with Intention → Don’t just ask. Bring purpose, an agenda, and be ready for the give-and-take.

Optimism Always Wins → Inspired by Kimberly S. Reed’s book, Marivell reminds us that resilience + optimism = survival in cyber.

💬 Quote to share:

“I am proof you don’t need a perfect path. You need grit, curiosity, and community.” – Marivell

✨ Keywords to drive engagement:
#Cybersecurity #LatinaInTech #Mentorship #Curiosity #DiversityInCyber #GRC #AI #Resilience #RepresentationMatters #WomenInCyber

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We sit down with Robert, CIO of a leading healthcare services company, to explore how non-traditional career paths, life skills, and human-centric leadership can reshape technology teams. Robert shares his journey from political-science graduate to tech executive, his work closing educational gaps with Teach For America Colorado, and candid lessons on mentorship, failure, true role of AI in our work and authentic leadership.

🔑 Top Takeaways
Non-Tech Backgrounds Drive Innovation
Fresh perspectives, from customer service, education, even music, unlock creative problem solving.

Life Skills Are Business Skills
Empathy, respect, accountability and strong communication form the bedrock of high-performing teams.

Mentors Guide, Not Dictate
The best mentors ask probing questions and share stories, helping you surface your own strengths.

Fail Fast, Learn Faster
Real-world setbacks teach resilience, sharpen listening skills, and foster adaptive leadership.

AI Empowers, but Demands Oversight
Automation boosts efficiency, but over-reliance leads to complacency and erosion of critical thinking.

True Inclusion Requires Action
Moving beyond gatekeeping certifications and degrees to open doors for underrepresented talent.

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🔐 She Built a Zoom Bot at 13 to Skip Class… and Ended Up Securing NASA.
Meet [@Bandana | Hack With Her], a rising cybersecurity force who’s not waiting for permission to shape the future.

At just 17, Bandana is:
✨ A cybersecurity researcher focused on adversarial attacks on LLMs
🌐 A UN Dynamic Team Coalition Cybersecurity Lead
🎓 A National Cybersecurity Education Ambassador
👩‍💻 A bug bounty hunter who’s helped secure NASA, the U.S. Dept. of Education & the Indian government

But what makes her story magnetic isn’t just the accomplishments — it’s how she started:
➡️ Taught herself Python through W3Schools
➡️ Built a Zoom bot to skip 7am classes during lockdown
➡️ Climbed “Cringe Mountain” to share her learning in public
➡️ Grew a personal brand on Instagram & LinkedIn from scratch

We talked about:
✔️ The fine line between personal branding and bragging
✔️ Why vulnerability is key to networking
✔️ GenAI’s dual role in good and harm — and how she’s defending against jailbreak attacks
✔️ Her mission to make the cyberspace livable for everyone

------------------
SHOW NOTES

Instagram - Hackwithher
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hackwither/

BOOKS
The Web Application Hacker's Handbook
– A comprehensive guide to web app security and penetration testing.

The Car Hacker's Handbook
– Focused on automotive cybersecurity and how to understand and exploit vehicle systems.

The 30 Ways to Make Money Hacking Ethically
– A bug bounty hunting book that explains 30 vulnerability types with real examples.

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In the latest episode of Inclusive Cyber, I had the honor of speaking with Nicole Lilly, founder of Deeply Devoted Lilly, somatic coach, and former corporate wellness strategist.

We didn’t talk tech.
We talked about what tech often ignores—how emotional wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and inner safety are critical to sustainable performance in high-pressure fields like cybersecurity.

Nicole opens up about:

* Growing up in a culture where worth was tied to appearance—and how she reclaimed her health on *her* terms
* Her corporate wellness career and the blind spots she noticed in how we treat mental health at work
* Why we don’t ask for help, and how self-leadership shifted her relationship with discipline
* What it means to "come home to yourself" and build a life rooted in compassion, curiosity, and clarity

🧠 This conversation reminded me that no productivity hack can replace the inner work required to truly show up—at work or at home.

One of Nicole’s reflections that stuck with me:

“There’s a difference between what you want to be and who you want to be.”

🎧 If you’re in cybersecurity—or any fast-paced field—this episode is for you. It’s not about slowing down. It’s about realigning with your values so you can lead without burning out.

\#MentalHealth #CybersecurityLeadership #SomaticCoaching #WomenInTech #InclusiveCyber #BurnoutRecovery #LatinaLeadership #HumanCenteredSecurity #EmotionalWellbeing #LeadershipDevelopment #podcasthighlights

--------------------------
SHOW NOTES
Nicole Lilly - LinkedIn
Deeply Devoted Lilly - https://www.instagram.com/deeplydevotedlilly/

Books & Podcasts
----------------------------
1. What i know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey - https://www.amazon.com/What-Know-Sure-Oprah-Winfrey/dp/1250054052
2. We Can Do Hard Things - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things/id1564530722
3. Build with Leila Hormozi - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/build-with-leila-hormozi/id1663834553
4. Stay Grounded with Rai Jana - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stay-grounded-with-raj-jana/id1318038490

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Kylee's journey to cybersecurity is amazing.

From the Midwest to Southern California’s music and production scene, she built a foundation in audio engineering before pivoting to cybersecurity. Facing life-changing challenges, including single motherhood, Kylee earned degrees in speech, language, and hearing science, followed by a master's in cybersecurity operations and leadership.

Her success highlights curiosity, adaptability, resilience, and the immense value of mentorship. Now focused on policy, compliance, risk management, and security awareness training, Kylee emphasizes clear communication and human connection in cybersecurity.

Kylee advocates strongly for women in tech, encouraging confidence, networking, and mentorship. Her insights into generative AI and quantum computing point to exciting future opportunities tempered with necessary caution.Kylee's journey reminds us that diverse paths lead to successful tech careers.Have you witnessed unique career transitions into cybersecurity? Share your experiences!

SHOW NOTES:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleemarie/

Books

1. "Nexus" by Yuval Noah Harari
2. "Sapiens"by Yuval Noah Harari
3. "Getting the Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt
4. "The Laws of Human Nature"by Robert Greene
5. "The Art of Seduction"by Robert Greene

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