Samara Cristina Barreto da Silva Braz
“Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep learning and growing. The more you know, the more ready you’ll be for leadership roles.”
Samara is a visionary cybersecurity leader empowering organizations to stay ahead of ever-evolving cybersecurity threats through her deep expertise in risk management and IT governance.
She started her career on Deloitte’s Enterprise Risk Services team before working at Petrobras where she advanced through multiple roles. As Information Security Executive Manager, she oversaw the cybersecurity division and spearheaded critical initiatives including the digital transformation of Petrobras’ internal audit department. She embodies the spirit of persistence, inspiring future generations of women to be resilient and forge their unique career path in cybersecurity.
What aspects of your career journey have taken you by surprise?
Getting invited to be the Information Security Executive Manager while I was five months pregnant. I was very honored by the invitation and proud of the company for giving me this opportunity.
What are the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself?
I love listening to music and studying. To maintain good mental health, I try not to take work problems home and try to separate them as much as possible.
How has being a woman, or if applicable, a woman of color, shaped your experience in this industry? And how does it set you apart and make your contributions to the field unique?
I was only 20 when I started working at Deloitte and had to prove my worth. The start of projects was always complicated, and there was often resistance from clients even when I did good work. I gained their trust by genuinely listening to them, understanding their needs, thinking strategically and driving value. These skills also helped me throughout my career.
What makes you proud to be a part of the cybersecurity industry?
Being a part of a large cybersecurity network protecting my company and supporting others in the fight against cybercrime makes me very proud.
