Mariana Padilla — CEO of HACKERverse.ai, Disruptor of Cybersecurity Sales and Most Other Things We sit down with Mariana Padilla, CEO and Co-Founder of HACKERverse.ai—an AI-driven platform transforming how cybersecurity solutions are tested and purchased. From her early days in education and nonprofits to building a career in cybersecurity marketing, Mariana has always sought to challenge inefficiency and champion innovation. From the helm of HACKERverse, she’s helping security buyers make smarter, data-driven decisions while eliminating the friction of traditional vendor sales. She joins hosts Jack Clabby of Carlton Fields, P.A., and resident cybersecurity expert Kayley Melton, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Cognitive Security Institute, to explore how her self-proclaimed status as a "bad employee" shaped her leadership approach, why passive aggression is her ultimate pet peeve, and how adopting a beginner’s mindset has helped her scale quickly in a complex industry. Mariana also reveals how her team is tackling the trust gap in cybersecurity sales—by letting the product speak for itself. In the Lifestyle Polygraph segment, Kayley asks Mariana who she would hire if resumes for Superman and Batman landed on her desk. Her answer took us down a dark-night path we didn’t see coming. Follow Mariana Padilla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianapadilla/
keywords
cybersecurity, leadership, startups, failure, vendor trust, HACKERverse, communication, investment, innovation, beginner's mindset, job search, LinkedIn, networking, AI, personal branding, cybersecurity, lifestyle polygraph, superheroes, career advice, mentorship
summary
In this episode of No Password Required, host Jack Clabby and co-host Kaylee Melton engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Mariana Padilla, co-founder and CEO of HACKERverse.AI. The discussion revolves around the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity, the role of leadership in fostering a positive work environment, and the challenges faced in the cybersecurity vendor landscape. Mariana shares her insights on the need for better communication in the industry and the importance of a beginner's mindset in driving innovation. The conversation also touches on the future of investment in cybersecurity and the necessity of rebuilding trust within the industry. In this engaging conversation, Mariana discusses the challenges of job searching in the current landscape dominated by AI and the importance of networking and personal branding. She emphasizes that building trust and connections is crucial in the cybersecurity field. The discussion transitions into a fun segment called the lifestyle polygraph, where Mariana shares her thoughts on superheroes and their relevance to personal and professional growth. The episode concludes with Mariana providing insights on how to connect with her and her work.
takeaways
Embracing failure is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Leadership should focus on transparency and learning from mistakes.
A beginner's mindset can lead to innovative solutions in cybersecurity.
The cybersecurity industry struggles with communication and trust.
Venture capital influences the direction of cybersecurity startups.
Sustainable business practices are essential for long-term success.
The sales process in cybersecurity needs to be more efficient.
Understanding vendor interoperability is critical for security.
Cybersecurity vendors must demonstrate product viability effectively.
The industry must evolve to meet the rapid pace of technological change. You're competing against AI for some of these jobs.
Networking is so, so, so important.
The online application system has been dying for quite some time.
Your personal brand matters and you have to have one.
Conferences are a prime opportunity to peacock a little bit.
Batman has real feelings and real demons.
The correct answer is Star Trek.
Margot Robbie, I really like her.
You're on the fantasy cybersecurity squad.
Come follow me on LinkedIn for lots of shenanigans.
titles
Embracing Failure in Cybersecurity
The Importance of Leadership in Startups
Innovating with a Beginner's Mindset
HACKERverse: Revolutionizing Cybersecurity
Sound Bites
"It's all about leadership and leading by example."
"I think we have a gap here."
"We should focus on sustainably built businesses."
"It's just a bunch of nonsense."
"Networking is so, so, so important."
"Batman has real feelings and real demons."
"The correct answer is Star Trek."
"Margot Robbie, I really like her."
"You're on the fantasy cybersecurity squad."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity Conversations
02:00 Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity
06:02 The Role of Leadership in Startups
09:00 The Value of a Beginner's Mindset
11:58 Understanding HACKERverse's Mission
13:59 Challenges in the Cybersecurity Vendor Landscape
17:08 Shaking Up the Status Quo in Cybersecurity
21:52 The Future of Investment in Cybersecurity
24:36 Navigating Job Searches in the Age of AI
29:35 The Importance of Personal Branding
30:23 Lifestyle Polygraph: Fun and Games
39:05 Superheroes and Their Lessons
43:45 Connecting with Mariana: Final Thoughts