dedication

The many skills and experiences I’ve gained over the years that made this guide possible were due in no small part to the inspiration of three wonderful leaders I have worked with in my career. I dedicate this book to them.

To Tim Patneaude, who took a risk in hiring a young, hungry programmer with no degree into his home banking product development team. Tim, you taught me my earliest lessons of how to be an empowering servant leader, and that has immeasurably shaped the course of my career.

To Donna Beaumeister, who nine years later took a chance on a programmer with no security experience and put me at the lead of her security test team. Your empathetic, transparent, yet confident leadership style taught me how to be a credible leader and allow my teams to be authentic and powerful forces for progress.

And finally, to Patrick Fleming, you showed me everything that an inspiring leader should be and how to bring my own vulnerability in a way that would drive my teams to new heights.

Thank you, all three, for all that you’ve meant in helping me grow professionally and personally into the person I am today. I will never forget the gifts each of you has given me.