In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Sulohita Vaddadi—Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at GE Corporate—joins us to share her unconventional journey into cybersecurity and identity.From a background in biomedical engineering to leading identity at one of the world’s most recognized enterprises, Sulohita reflects on how technical expertise, project management, and humility helped shape her career. She shares the importance of cross-functional collaboration, what she learned from failed projects, and how vendors can earn lasting trust by being honest partners—not just sellers.This conversation dives into:What skills matter most for IAM leaders todayHow to communicate identity’s value across the businessWhy it’s critical to design for compliance and adoptionPractical tips for doing more with leaner teamsWhether you're building your first identity program or leading strategy at the enterprise level, Sulohita’s insights offer a candid, actionable view into modern IAM leadership.Key Themes & TakeawaysIdentity is a business enabler, not a back-office functionSuccess in cybersecurity should align with strategic outcomesLearning from failure is a vital part of career growthThe best vendors act like partners—not just sellersClear expectations and smart prioritization enable lean teams to thriveAsking for help is a sign of leadership, not weaknessProject management and communication are IAM superpowersDefining business value clearly drives stronger adoptionEmpathy and transparency strengthen vendor and internal collaborationTechnical success means nothing without operational successChapters 00:00 Exploring Sulohita's Heroic Journey 03:53 Accidental Journey into Cybersecurity Career 07:40 Career Transition: Architect to Identity Leader 09:45 Designing a Degree in Identity 14:23 Vendor to Client-Side Transition 19:14 Career Challenges: Lessons and Turning Points 20:24 Infrastructure Challenges Delay Project Success 23:35 Failing Forward in Business 28:20 Maximizing Cybersecurity Through Effective MFA Usage 32:37 Fostering Transparency and Empathy 35:31 Streamlining Identity Infrastructure Management 36:29 Maximizing Learning Opportunities 41:12 Skunk Work Innovations in AI Consulting 43:39 AI's Future in Sci-Fi Literature🔗 Want more Identity Heroes? Visit strata.io/identityheroes to explore all episodes, get show notes, and meet our guests.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.

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