Women in STEM Leadership Is Happy to Welcome Our Newest Executive Member, Cecilia Saez Women In STEM Leadership (WISL) welcomes its newest Executive Member, Cecilia Saez! We’re happy to have Cecilia as part of the WISL family, sharing her experience with those aspiring to be leaders in the STEM industry, and serving as an essential part of professional network. About Cecilia Saez In her 20-year career span, Cecilia successfully scaled high-growth tech startups, completed M&A arrangements, shaped  cultures and led domestic and international business expansion initiatives by guiding executives, overcoming obstacles,  retaining top talent and harmonizing work practices. She has a track record for driving long-term value by linking HR  metrics to business performance and excels at articulating a common vision and influencing organizational progress. Her career and life mission are focused on equalizing diversity in the workplace and operating sustainably to protect  businesses, people and the planet. Cecilia was named one of the Top 100 Women in Finance in 2021.   What Is She Doing Now? Most recently, Cecilia served as Chief People Officer at Aspiration, the first socially conscious, sustainable financial firm. Aspiration is a member of 1% for the Planet, B-Corp and ESG certified, built to help everyone spend, save, and invest by bringing quality, ethical, and sustainable financial products to all. As the Chief People Officer, Cecilia leads the design and  execution of Aspiration’s human capital strategies. Along with her stellar team of HR professionals, she drives the  company’s culture, DEI, HR operations & systems, organizational design, talent acquisition, total compensation,  performance and succession.   Past Experience And Education Prior to joining Aspiration, Cecilia Saez was Chief Human Resources Officer at Integra Beauty, Chief People Office at Albert Financials, Vice President of Human Resources at TrueCar, Division Vice President of Organizational Effectiveness at Nature  Made, Global Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at Patagonia, Director of Learning and Organizational  Development at Smile Brands, and Senior Organizational Development Consultant at WaMu/JP Morgan Chase.  Among several certifications, including 360 Executive Coaching, Situational Leadership, MBTI, and SPHR, Cecilia Saez received a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior and Industrial Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Cybersecurity Opportunities For Women Are you considering a career shift to the tech industry, specifically cybersecurity? Are you a seasoned tech professional looking to advance your cybersecurity certifications? Regardless of your personal situation, there are many reasons why women need to consider cybersecurity careers.   Currently, women are advancing to leadership positions more quickly than their male counterparts and their advanced education and training is to credit. If that’s not incentive enough, women are actually in demand in the cybersecurity industry. Corporations as well as governmental agencies have recognized the lack of diversity in the cyber security talent pool as well as in their own cyber security departments. Not only is it beneficial from a public image standpoint to employ a diverse workforce, but more importantly, a diverse workforce drives innovation.1   What are popular cybersecurity certifications?  The estimated total pay for a Cyber Security is $94,342 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $78,932 per year.2 As with most positions, a master’s degree and certifications will significantly increase your base salary. With this being said, now is the time to explore cybersecurity certifications, and we’ll break down a few popular entry level and advanced certifications.  Some Popular Entry Level Cybersecurity Certifications  1. CompTIA Security+ Security+ is a respected, entry-level certification that will get you on the path to a future incybersecurity. By showing potential employers that you have the core skills required for a  cybersecurity role, you may find more job opportunities as a more competitive candidate.  2. Certified Security Specialist (ECSS)  This is the perfect starter course to give you a grounding in cybersecurity concepts and terminology. It is a good starting point for those wanting to enter the profession. It is also useful for people who may work in a small organization to provide enough information to put simple security best practices in place.  Advanced Cybersecurity Certifications  1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)  Earning your CISSP demonstrates that you’re experienced in IT security and capable of designing, implementing, and monitoring a cybersecurity program. 3 Adding CISSP will most  definitely set you apart from those just starting out and should offer a significant increase in pay. There are requirements for this certification as it geared towards professionals with five or more years’ experience.  2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)  According to Coursera, obtaining CISM certification you can validate your expertise in the  management side of information security, including topics like governance, program  development, and program, incident, and risk management.4 As with CISSP certification,  CISM requires five years of experience and typically are suited for those pursuing or who  have obtained a master’s degree.  Mentorship Programs Offer Support And Guidance For Those Seeking Cybersecurity Certifications  So, you’ve decided to either begin your journey and obtain basic cybersecurity certification or you’re ready to advance your career with advanced certifications. No matter where you are in your tech journey, there are many paths to choose from and navigating those roads can be tough, let alone actually completing the journey.  At Women In STEM Leadership (WISL) we understand the challenges women face and that is why we started our mentorship program. WISL members are guaranteed the best professional guidance from our industry professionals. In fact, WISL Founder/Executive Director, Ogechi Ugwulebo, MS, CISM, is a cybersecurity professional and has served as a mentor to many women at different levels in their STEM careers.  If you’re ready to take the next step, become a WISL member today and unlock your key to leadership success.  written by Stacey Scarabello, Digital Marketing Specialist  ___________________________________________________________________ 1 6 Reasons Why Women Should Consider a Career in Cyber Security 2 How much does a Cyber Security make? 3 10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications [2022 Updated]4 10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications [2022 Updated] 

Women In STEM Leadership Recognizes Women’s History Month With A Power Group of Women Leaders March is Women’s History Month. Women In STEM Leadership (WISL) celebrates all women particularly those in the male dominated field of STEM. Each of our board members brings with her a diverse set of skills and experiences that contribute to the power of Women In STEM Leadership. To join us in our mission to increase the representation of women in STEM leadership, visit our website to learn more about our group and become a member today!