Kristi Preuss
“There’s strength in visibility.”
Kristi is an established cyber authority overseeing Deloitte’s Cyber & Strategic Risk practice. She started her career in corporate law before venturing into the privacy and regulatory realm in cybersecurity.
Drawing from her own journey in cyber, Kristi underscores the importance of inclusive representation at the top and how it can foster a culture for women to succeed and empower others along the way.
What aspects of your career journey have taken you by surprise?
I realized that success comes from a combination of hard work and luck. Hard work aside, you need to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right people and leadership and in the right environment for growth. Sometimes, you can create your own luck.
What are the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself?
I have a 2-year-old who keeps me grounded like no other. She makes me notice the small things that I’d otherwise blow past. On the other hand, I’ll be on a call with a C-suite executive from a Fortune 50 company one minute, then come downstairs and get spaghetti flung at my head the next.
What advice would you give a woman who wants to break into the cyber industry, but doesn’t think that she is qualified?
Don’t focus on qualifications. Ask yourself if you’re interested and ambitious and know people who can support you in this endeavor. If the answer is yes to all three, you’ll be successful. Show up confidently, and if you have to fake it until you make it in some areas, that’s okay. That’s what we all do, and we own it!
How has being a woman shaped your experience in this industry?
I’ve never had the opportunity to work for a woman, but now I’m in a position to break that cycle with others so women on my teams can see someone like them in leadership.
For example, juggling the demands of family while working in client services can be tricky, and women sometimes feel the brunt of having to take a half or full step back. Seeing a female leader navigate those complexities makes a difference.
