Have you ever thought that a career in tech requires you to be a coder? Think again. In the latest episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I had the privilege of speaking with Brittany Greenfield, founder of Wabbi and a recognized leader in cybersecurity. Brittany’s journey from a comp-sci dropout to an innovative CEO is packed with lessons for anyone looking to break into tech or explore a non-traditional career path.
Here’s a summary of the episode and the key takeaways that make it a must-listen:
Breaking the Myth: You Don’t Need to Code to Be in Tech
Brittany shared her realization that being technical doesn’t necessarily mean writing code. Early in her career, she thought coding was a requirement to thrive in the tech world. Over time, she discovered her true technical skills lay in problem-solving, strategy, and bridging gaps between teams—a realization that led her to build Wabbi.
“You don’t need to write code to make an impact in tech. Align your passions and skills with the problem you want to solve, and the opportunities will follow.” – Brittany Greenfield
The Journey to Cybersecurity and Founding Wabbi
Brittany’s passion for innovation and curiosity led her to cybersecurity. She realized that securing technology is critical to unlocking its full potential. This inspired her to create Wabbi, a platform that integrates security into software development pipelines, ensuring teams can collaborate effectively without compromising on security.
She emphasized the importance of timing when starting a business:
- Identify a problem.
- Understand the market gap.
- Ensure the timing is right.
Her practical approach included conducting customer advisory boards before building the product to ensure it solved real problems.
Aligning Passions and Skills with Tech Roles
Brittany encouraged listeners to think beyond traditional tech roles and consider how their unique skills and passions can align with opportunities in the industry.
- Love design? Explore UI/UX or product management.
- Interested in psychology? Dive into customer behavior or cybersecurity strategies.
- A natural planner? Consider customer success or project management.
Her advice: Don’t let job descriptions define you—focus on the outcomes you can deliver.
Tips for Getting a Foot in the Door
Breaking into tech can be challenging, especially without direct experience. Brittany shared these practical tips:
- Leverage LinkedIn: Reach out to people in roles you’re curious about. Ask for 15 minutes of their time to learn more about their journey.
- Start Small: Offer to work on side projects or take on hourly roles to gain experience.
- Own Your Narrative: Connect your past experiences to the outcomes desired in tech roles.
Diversity Drives Innovation
Brittany highlighted the importance of diversity in problem-solving. At Wabbi, her team includes people from non-traditional backgrounds, from gamers who taught themselves to code to seasoned professionals transitioning into modern tech roles. This diversity fuels innovation and ensures unique perspectives are brought to the table.
Brittany’s Final Advice
Brittany’s parting words were a powerful reminder:
“Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Talk about your challenges, reach out to others, and remember you’re not alone on this journey.”
She encouraged women in tech to embrace community, seek support, and take the first step toward their goals.
Listen to the Full Episode
This episode is full of actionable insights, inspiring stories, and practical advice. Whether you’re considering a career in tech, starting a business, or simply looking for inspiration, Brittany’s journey will leave you motivated to take action.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: limorbergman.com/podcast
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Let me know what resonated with you the most from this episode in the comments below!
About Brittany:
Recognized as a Top Woman in Cybersecurity and a 40 under 40 by the Boston Business Journal, Brittany Greenfield has pioneered the world of Application Security Posture Management as CEO & Founder of Wabbi, a 2021 RSA Innovation Sandbox finalist who continues to receive recognition for its industry leadership from 3rd parties such as Gartner, Cyber Defense Magazine, and Fortress. Having built a career around helping enterprise software organization identify burgeoning industry issues, and then building the solutions to resolve them, Brittany takes pride and joy in helping organizations tackle their most pressing issues and develop practical plans for implementation that will improve operational excellence for years to come.
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanygreenfield/
Wabbi Website: https://wabbisoft.com/
