In this episode of Inclusive Cyber we talk to Angela Díaz, a fraud and risk leader who turned a single day of crisis into a decade-long career in financial crime prevention. We explore how she built her own ladder in an industry that rarely makes space for new voices, from manually canceling fraudulent orders in a startup to designing enterprise-level fraud controls for global banks. Angela shares lessons on hiring for potential instead of perfection, using AI responsibly with human oversight, and leading through mentorship, allyship, and authenticity.

Angela reminds us that you don’t need permission to lead. You just need to own your path and act with purpose.

#InclusiveCyber #FraudPrevention #Leadership #AIinRisk #Cybersecurity

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Show Notes

Books:
The Other Side of the Firewall by Ryan Williams
Lead Like You Mean It by Laysha Ward
Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love with You by Becky Holmes
Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick

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In our first Fireside Chat, Jo Anna and I dug into a topic that’s reshaping everything around us: Artificial Intelligence and Accountability.

Jo Anna said it best:

“We can’t stop AI. It’s everywhere. But we can govern it.”

We explored the growing tension between innovation and responsibility. Tech giants are moving fast, but who’s ensuring they move safely? If the past decade taught us anything, it’s that security and governance must evolve just as quickly as the tools we build.

Some of the key questions we unpacked:
• How can organizations create AI governance frameworks that reflect their values, not just compliance checklists?
• Are enterprises, not governments, now the real gatekeepers of ethical AI?
• What happens when data centers require more power, water, and land than the communities surrounding them?
• And is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) truly our next milestone, or a distraction from the sustainability issues we refuse to face?

Jo Anna raised a point few discuss openly: the environmental toll of AI. Behind every large model are servers that consume massive amounts of energy and water. Innovation has a cost, and it’s time we acknowledge it.

We closed with a powerful reminder:

“AI may be the car before seat belts. Innovation will outpace safety until harm forces regulation.”

This conversation isn’t about fear; it’s about foresight.
If you’re building, deploying, or investing in AI, ask yourself:
Are you optimizing for speed or sustainability?

⸻

🔖 Key Themes:
AI Governance | Data Ethics | Environmental Sustainability | Responsible Innovation | Quantum Computing

💭 What’s your take?
Is AI evolving faster than our ability to govern it, or are we finally learning from history?

#ArtificialIntelligence #CyberSecurity #Governance #EthicalAI #FiresideChat #Sustainability #QuantumComputing #FutureOfWork #AIethics #Leadership

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Ale’s career journey is anything but linear. From her roots as the granddaughter of Mexican farmworkers to advising high school students, to shaping education policy in Washington DC, and finally landing in the world of technology, her story is one of resilience, mentorship, and serendipity.

In this episode Ale shares how her immigrant background shaped her values, why giving back through education became her first calling, and how an unexpected LinkedIn message opened the door to tech. She also reflects on the importance of mentors, the reality of navigating career pivots, and why being brave enough to “make the ask” can change everything.

Whether you are early in your career, considering a pivot, or simply looking for inspiration, Ale’s story proves that purpose, perseverance, and a little bit of luck can create a path you never imagined.

Key Highlights

• Ale’s immigrant roots and values of community and service
• Transition from college advising to education policy work in DC
• How an unexpected LinkedIn message led to a role in edtech
• Lessons on mentorship and how to “be brave and make the ask”
• Reflections on luck, preparation, and building a career with purpose
• Ale’s thoughts on balance, gardening, and stepping away from tech to recharge

Book Recommendations
That Will Never Work by Marc Randolph (Netflix co-founder) — an inside look at the startup world and building something unexpected

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Website - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2183707
Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/594cca7a-726d-43fe-b94e-36291566e9d8/inclusive-cyber-unlocking-dei-in-cybersecurityMusic: Music by Cryptochronica and Worlds Apart featuring Vtizzel; Song: Gunz Blazin' Music: Used with permission: Artist: Thunderwolf X Words Apart, Song: Cybernetix...