In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and cybersecurity, leadership is not just about driving innovation—it’s about shaping an inclusive future that embraces diverse perspectives. Debbie Sallis, the Executive Director of The Cyber Guild, exemplifies this kind of leadership. Her career, marked by significant achievements and challenges, highlights her determination to build a more inclusive, equitable, and empowered cybersecurity workforce. In this cover story, we explore Debbie’s leadership journey, the mission of The Cyber Guild, her vision for the future, and the crucial role of diversity in shaping a resilient tech industry.
A Journey Defined by Leadership and Resilience
Debbie’s rise to leadership in the tech industry is the culmination of decades of hard work, determination, and an unwavering commitment to advancing others. But as she reflects on her journey, she acknowledges the challenges she faced along the way. “Work hard” and “keep commitments” were lessons ingrained in her from an early age—messages that became the foundation of her professional ethos.
Starting her career with a series of groundbreaking accomplishments, Debbie quickly stood out as a leader in male-dominated industries. From becoming the youngest female senior executive, to holding the title of Vice President of Human Resources (HR) in one of the largest defense businesses, her career trajectory was nothing short of impressive. Even as a young girl, her leadership instincts were evident. Debbie demonstrated her ability to influence and mobilize others at a young age through organizing extracurricular activities in school.
However, as with many women in leadership, Debbie encountered her fair share of obstacles. These included not only the common struggles of navigating leadership roles at a young age but also facing discrimination and unconscious bias. Growing up as a Northern Irish woman in England during a time of political unrest, Debbie was no stranger to prejudice. Additionally, being a young female leader often meant being unfairly compared to older male peers and being subjected to uninvited sexual advances. Reflecting on these experiences, Debbie admits that, at the time, she internalized these challenges. “The sad thing is I did not question it, I assumed responsibility for it,” she says.
Despite these hurdles, Debbie became known for her ability to “get the job done,” successfully navigating difficult roles and circumstances. But she also admits that her early leadership years were marked by a lack recognition and access of to the support systems necessary to maintain both her health and success. Today, she is heartened by her work with The Cyber Guild community, where leaders are committed to creating respectful, productive workspaces for their teams. “I hear other’s experiences that are familiar, yet I am heartened to work with leaders in the Cyber Guild community who believe their role is to create a respectful and productive workspace for their teams and for themselves,” Debbie shares.
The Cyber Guild: Championing Diversity and Inclusion
As the Founding Executive Director of The Cyber Guild, Debbie is at the helm of an organization committed to bridging the gap between cybersecurity needs and inclusive leadership. The Cyber Guild was founded on the principle that the world will be more secure when cybersecurity is more commonly recognized as essential to everyday life and when people are empowered to leverage technology’s opportunities without fear of vulnerability. With an estimated 55.7 billion connected devices expected by 2025, the need for robust cybersecurity measures is more critical than ever.
The harsh reality, however, is that cyber threats are pervasive. A ransomware attack occurs every 11 seconds, and small businesses are disproportionately affected, comprising 43% of all attacks. The financial toll is staggering as well—IBM reported that the average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.24 million. These statistics highlight the urgent need for a cybersecurity workforce that is as diverse as the threats it faces.
This is where The Cyber Guild steps in. Debbie believes that the only way to combat these ever-growing threats is through a cybersecurity profession that mirrors the diversity of those trying to undermine security. The numbers alone reflect the issue: In 2024, over 420,000 job openings were reported in the U.S. alone, and although women make up half of the general workforce, they represent less than 24% of the cyber workforce. Even more troubling, it is estimated that 40% of women left the cybersecurity profession between 2019 and 2023.
Debbie sees this as more than just a numbers problem—it’s a culture and mindset issue. “We know that culture and leadership start at ‘the top,’ and the challenge begins there,” she says. Citing a McKinsey report, she points out that only 1 in 4 global C-suite roles are held by women, and for women of color, the number plummets to 1 in 16. According to Debbie, fixing the lack of women in cybersecurity is integral to solving the workforce gap: “Fix involving women in cyber, and you fix the cyber workforce problem.”
Based in the Washington, D.C., metro area—home to some of the world’s most powerful policymakers and national security leaders—The Cyber Guild is strategically positioned to lead this change. The region is also second only to Silicon Valley in terms of cyber innovation and boasts the most dense cybersecurity talent pool of any metropolitan region in the word The organization aims to leverage this proximity to government and thought leaders to create lasting, systemic change in the cybersecurity field.
Building a Future of Inclusion and Empowerment
Looking ahead, Debbie’s vision for The Cyber Guild is clear: continue to be a driving force in building a more diverse and inclusive cybersecurity ecosystem. The organization’s work is centered on three main pillars:
Leveraging Convening Power: The Cyber Guild will continue to use its unique position at the heart of the U.S. government and the cybersecurity industry to bring together leaders and influencers for meaningful conversations and actions. Through events like the signature Uniting Women in Cyber (UWIC) conference, they provide a platform for collaboration and innovation.
Advancing Women and Underrepresented Groups: Empowering women and underrepresented individuals to ascend to leadership roles remains a top priority. The Cyber Guild aims to increase their representation not only within the organization itself but across the industry through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership programs.
Creating a Sense of Belonging: Fostering an inclusive community where individuals feel a sense of belonging is crucial. Debbie and her team focus on building meaningful partnerships that promote cybersecurity as a strategic imperative and highlight the importance of resilience in the face of growing cyber threats.
Debbie emphasizes the importance of providing mentorship opportunities and clear pathways to leadership for women in the cybersecurity profession. Recognizing that women play a pivotal role in creating solutions that address the unique challenges of the digital age, she remains steadfast in her mission to empower women professionals through The Cyber Guild’s programs and initiatives.
Balancing Leadership and Life
As a highly successful leader, Debbie understands the importance of maintaining equilibrium between professional commitments and personal life. For her, balance is not a static goal but an ongoing, dynamic process. She seeks external structures that help her step away from her desk and recharge. Her dog, for instance, often reminds her when it’s time for a walk—a simple but effective way to break from work. Recently, she has also joined a choir to reconnect with her love of music, another way she finds balance in her busy life.
Debbie is candid about the challenges of keeping up with other aspects of wellness, such as fitness. She admits she has “fallen off the wagon” with her strength training classes, which can be problematic given her love of good food and wine. Being an American, Irish, and British citizen, she ensures she stays connected with family and friends across two continents, which also provides her with the opportunity to travel. With just five U.S. states left to visit, Debbie is well on her way to exploring all 50.
A Vision for the Tech Industry’s Future
If given the chance to bring about significant change in the tech industry, Debbie’s focus would be on building inclusive workspaces that foster innovation and productivity. She recognizes that this is a “marathon, not a sprint,” and that real commitment requires actionable strategies rather than empty soundbites or token gestures.
Her vision for the future of tech is rooted in three key areas:
Hiring for Skills, Not Credentials: Debbie believes that employers should focus on job requirements that reflect the actual needs of the position rather than an exhaustive list of “wants.” By reducing the emphasis on unnecessary certifications and training, companies can provide more on-the-job training and create more opportunities for a diverse range of candidates.
Stronger Together: Greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to strengthening cybersecurity efforts. Shared learning and cooperative problem-solving can lead to more resilient processes, technologies, and people. Debbie is an advocate for meaningful partnerships, particularly those that focus on measurable impact.
Empathetic Leadership: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and a wave of layoffs in the tech industry, Debbie sees a need for leadership that prioritizes respect, health, and collaboration. As the saying goes, “the only constant is change,” and Debbie believes that the best leaders will rise to meet the challenges of this turbulent period.
Driving Change for Women in Tech
For Debbie, the next significant change for women in tech lies in increasing representation at managerial and leadership levels, including corporate boards. Through The Cyber Guild’s hybrid Inclusive Mentoring Program, she is working to create opportunities for women professionals to connect with mentors and gain the skills they need to rise through the ranks.
The Cyber Guild also continues to elevate its programs, giving national peer recognition to cybersecurity leaders who champion diversity and inclusion. Debbie is proud of the organization’s “See It to Be It” spotlight campaign on LinkedIn, which features diverse jobs, pathways, and people in cybersecurity, demonstrating that representation matters.
Advice for Future Women Leaders
Debbie’s advice to the next generation of women leaders is simple but powerful. She encourages women to be active in communities like The Cyber Guild, where they can build relationships with like-minded individuals who share the belief that strength lies in unity. For those entering the cybersecurity field or transitioning back into the workforce, Debbie highlights the value of mentors—experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support in navigating the complexities of the industry. For women who are further along in their careers, sponsors—those who actively advocate are crucial to advancing their professional leadership journeys. Debbie emphasizes that women don’t have to go it alone. “Being active in communities like The Cyber Guild builds relationships with those who share in the mindset of ‘stronger together,” she explains. This collective mindset, coupled with the support of mentors and sponsors, can empower women to break through barriers, whether they’re starting their careers, transitioning back into the workforce, or thriving for leadership roles.
