Why are intelligence professionals stuck in the shadows while other executives climb to the C-suite? In this compelling fireside Chat, Danny and Melissa dive deep into a question that has been largely ignored in the corporate world: what is holding intelligence professionals back from reaching CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, and other top leadership roles? With backgrounds spanning FBI, military, and private sector intelligence, they explore the disconnect between the valuable skills intel analysts bring to the table and the rigid structures that keep them boxed in. This is a must-watch for anyone in cybersecurity, corporate intelligence, or global security who feels their expertise is undervalued and wants to understand how to change that narrative.

Key Themes Discussed:

→ The C-Suite Glass Ceiling for Intel Professionals — Why analysts with deep expertise in risk, geopolitics, and complex problem-solving rarely break into executive roles beyond traditional security functions

→ Speaking the Language of Business — The critical difference between "dumbing down" intelligence products versus translating them into stakeholder value that resonates with leadership

→ The Identity Trap — How the "analyst at heart" mindset and traditional government or military formulas get imprinted on corporate environments, limiting career mobility

→ The Corporate Intel Paradox — Budget cuts and layoffs colliding with executive recognition that geopolitics has never mattered more, leaving teams stretched thin

→ Does True Intelligence Exist Outside Government? — A provocative examination of whether corporate intel is fundamentally different and what that means for practitioners trying to prove their worth


What do you think is holding intelligence professionals back from the C-suite? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

SHOW NOTES:

The CSO Survey by The Clarity Factory
"The Cuckoo's Egg" by Cliff Stoll
Mandiant APT-1 Report
The Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis .
"Disrupting the Game" by Reggie Fils-Aimé,
OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council)

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