The last two days I attended SecureWorld Boston. I found the following people the most worth listening to, with the freshest ideas:
Keavy Murphy
Kayla Williams
Edna Conway
Notice something? Yes, they're all women.
Our profession is very male dominated but we benefit so much from listening to the women who have overcome all the barriers of entry into our profession.
As an example of those barriers, one of the most infuriating things that ever happened to me was when I was told I couldn't hire the right candidate for the job because that person was a woman, I was forced to hire a man for the role. If I had had the resources, I would have resigned on the spot, and am very glad to no longer be associated with that organization (which I will not name as this is not about them it is about what women still face in this day and age)
The barriers for entry are very real.
Our profession NEEDS to have women's voices heard. It also needs the voices of other "minorities" heard.
I am glad SecureWorld Boston helped me hear what they had to say.