Sandra (Sandy) Lind, EWF Champion and 2020 Virtual Conference Speaker, is the Security Program Director at Oracle.
Sandy has had an illustrious career, providing IT consulting – in Washington, DC – to the FBI, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). From DC, Sandy returned to the Southwest where she has contributed to Avanade, AIG, and now Oracle. Sandy is a proud mother of two who outside of work enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and traveling with family. Please welcome Sandy Lind!
1) How long have you been an EWF member?
I became a member in 2016 so this year marks my 5-year anniversary with the EWF family. I started as an EWF conference attendee and loved it so much that I’ve been working my way into a growing number of roles.
2) How did you break into the “tech/privacy/infosec/cybersecurity” field?
In one word, unconventionally. I received my bachelor’s degree in Education, following in the footsteps of other women in my family. I honestly didn’t know there were other viable degree options. After graduation, I taught in the classroom for a stretch before I was offered an opportunity with NASA as a training specialist. I led training in several different courses but found an affinity for technology and computer systems. Focusing attention in that area naturally improved my understanding and skills. When I was asked to step into operational use of the technologies and systems, I jumped at the chance and haven’t looked back.
“Like any situation where there is unconscious bias, I had to trust that my work would speak for itself while also recognizing that I had to overcome barriers that others around me may not have to deal with.“
3) What are some words of wisdom you would like to share with young women entering a male-dominated profession? What was your experience like?
Like any situation where there is unconscious bias, I had to trust that my work would speak for itself while also recognizing that I had to overcome barriers that others around me may not have to deal with. Resilience was key as rarely did I find anyone pulling me “into the circle.” That said, once I established myself as belonging at the table there was little argument as to why. The best advice I could give to young women entering a male-dominated profession is that you can’t give up if it’s truly something you want to do.
4) How do you integrate your career with your personal life?
It’s an on-going project that’s better or worse depending on when you ask. I’m fortunate that my husband recognizes who I am as a professional and steps up to carry his fair share of our parenting responsibilities. Setting boundaries around my availability is also critical because – in IT – I could be responding to communications and actions 24 hours a day.
5) How has a mentor/sponsor supported you in your career and what advice would give our more junior members about working with a mentor/sponsor?
I’ve met some amazing mentors at EWF who have all inspired me in several different ways personally and professionally. My advice to junior members is to find someone in the workplace you aspire to model. Have a diverse board of mentors that can help guide you along the way because, honestly, you “don’t know what you don’t know.”
“EWF is very much like a family to me. I have seen and met so many incredibly talented women (can I call them Super Women?) and have been inspired by so many of their stories.”
6) How has the EWF expanded your network? What does the EWF mean to you?
EWF is very much like a family to me. I have seen and met so many incredibly talented women (can I call them Super Women?) and have been inspired by so many of their stories. The EWF as a network is priceless. When I was transitioning away from my last organization, I reached out to the EWF network and was able to quickly find leads and opportunities that ultimately resulted in my joining Oracle.
7) If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
The advice I’d give my younger self is to never stop believing that you belong at the table and to remain confident and unwavering in pursuit of what you know you want and deserve. You should expect to face challenges and rejection, the key is how quickly you dust yourself off and get back on your feet to take another run at it.
8) I know that you are a proud mother of two. What is the greatest lesson or piece of wisdom you want your daughter to know or carry with her throughout her life?
I would share that getting out of your comfort zone and taking risks is the only way we grow. Professionally, that means taking on challenging roles and situations you might not “feel” ready for. Personally, that means exploring and trying new things. I’d also share that we shouldn’t expect things to be easy or fair but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to achieve your dreams.
The environment and circumstances that I grew up in provided every reason for me not to graduate from high school, but I wanted it. My family, due to financial constraints, discouraged me from going to college, but I made it work. IT wasn’t a field that was welcoming women with open arms, but it’s where I wanted to be. The point is, if there isn’t a trail for you to follow then it’s up to you to blaze it.
