In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Heather Flanagan — Principal at Spherical Cow Consulting — shares how her background in library science laid the foundation for a career simplifying complexity and shaping global identity standards.
Heather takes us from her early days as a librarian-in-training to managing systems at Stanford and Duke, to becoming a key facilitator across W3C, IETF, and OpenID Foundation working groups. Along the way, she reveals how the skills of organizing, indexing, and communicating translate seamlessly into technology — and why non-coders play an essential role in driving progress in IAM.
🎯 This conversation dives into:
✨ Key Themes & Takeaways
Whether you come from tech or the humanities, Heather’s story shows that identity needs every kind of mind — not just coders.
🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes
🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.
In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Clint Hardison — AVP of Identity & Access Management at Navy Federal — shares his non-linear journey from international furniture sales to IAM leadership.
Clint reflects on the turning points that shaped his career, from humbling resets to building authentication systems for millions of members. He opens up about the role of listening, vulnerability, and trust in leadership — and why his team lives by the motto “How can we help?”
🎯 This conversation dives into:
✨ Key Themes & Takeaways
Careers in identity don’t follow straight lines — and that’s a strength
Listening and communication are underrated leadership superpowers
Vulnerability builds trust and team culture
Investing in training pays off for individuals and organizations
Identity leaders must translate complexity into business value
Simple mottos like “How can we help?” transform teams
Whether you’re new to IAM or leading a global team, Clint’s story proves that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes
🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.
In this episode of The Identity Heroes, we’re joined by Amit Vaidya, former SVP of Identity, Fraud & Data Protection at PNC Bank.
From navigating fraud and security risk at one of the nation’s largest banks to thinking ahead about AI agents and enterprise IAM, Amit shares a grounded, strategic perspective on what it really takes to secure identity at scale. He unpacks how organizations can make identity measurable, prioritize the right outcomes, and build resilient systems—even with limited resources.
Amit also shares sharp insights for vendors, including what not to do when selling to enterprises, and how to build relationships that actually solve customer pain.
🎯 This conversation dives into:
Why identity is the new perimeter
How to lead IAM strategy with ROI and risk
What AI agents mean for the future of IAM
Why visibility and guardrails are critical in an AI-driven world
The business-first mindset that elevates security leadership
✨ Key Themes & Takeaways
AI agents must be accounted for in today’s IAM strategies
Risk-based identity programs drive better business alignment
Identity is core to fraud prevention—not just IT hygiene
ROI is the language that gets IAM funded
Vendors should solve problems, not pitch features
Guardrails for AI are the next enterprise priority
🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes
🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.
In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Chris Rich, the Business Information Security Officer at MassMutual, joins Aldo Pietropaolo for an insightful discussion on modern identity and cybersecurity leadership.
Chris shares his unique career journey—from sales and theater to leading IAM at a Fortune 100 financial firm—and explores the difference between customer and workforce identity, the importance of stakeholder trust, and the balance between risk and user experience. This conversation is full of real-world wisdom for those navigating the identity space.
Key Takeaways:
This conversation dives into:
🎙 The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.
🔗 Explore more episodes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes
In this episode of The Identity Heroes, David Lee—aka The Identity Jedi—opens up about his unfiltered path into identity and access management, from unexpected beginnings to big entrepreneurial swings.
David shares how adversity shaped his leadership style, how clarity often follows chaos, and why communication is the most overlooked superpower in tech. This isn’t a polished “success story”—it’s a raw, reflective look at identity careers, personal growth, and what it really takes to lead with purpose.
This conversation dives deep into:
Whether you're navigating your own IAM path or coaching others, David’s story is a must-listen.
Key Themes & Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Intro to Identity Heroes & David Lee
02:59 David Lee’s Journey into Identity
06:09 Career Evolution: IAM and Beyond
08:57 Entrepreneurship and Lessons Learned
12:01 Communication: The Overlooked IAM Skill
14:59 Navigating Setbacks & Pivotal Moments
18:06 Future of Identity & Growth
31:01 Embracing Reflection in Career Paths
34:40 Finding Clarity Through Adversity
39:58 Representation and Connection in Identity
41:54 Empowering Teams with Limited Resources
45:36 Measuring Success in IAM Programs
49:31 Identity, AI & What’s Next
🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes
🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.
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:
Whether 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 & Takeaways
Chapters
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.
In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Sebastian Rohr—Founder of Umbrella Associates and the globally beloved “IdentiBeer Guy”—joins us to share his unfiltered journey through the identity space.
From a start in chemical engineering to building community and driving innovation in IAM, Sebastian reflects on the surprising twists that shaped his career. He opens up about how pivotal moments—including those that didn’t go as planned—ultimately led him to discover his passion for mentorship, entrepreneurship, and helping others succeed.
This conversation dives deep into:
Whether you’re leading an IAM team or just getting started in your career, Sebastian’s story is a reminder that identity work is deeply human—and no two paths look the same.
Key Themes & Takeaways
Chapters
🔗 Want more Identity Heroes? Visit strata.io/identityheroes to explore all episodes, get show notes, and meet our guests.
Welcome to the premiere episode of The Identity Heroes, a podcast series that explores the real-world journeys of identity leaders and the unexpected turns that shaped them.
Our first guest is none other than Eve Maler, President and Founder of Venn Factory, and a foundational force in identity standards. She’s also one of the most sharp, candid voices in the IAM space. In this episode, hosts Mark Callahan and Gerry Gebel sit down with Eve to unpack her multifaceted journey—from technical editing to standards author to CTO—and how every “non-obvious” step opened up the next. For Eve, identity has never been linear: “My career is a fractal, not a ladder.”
We cover a lot of ground, including:
Key Themes & Takeaways
Chapters
Visit https://www.strata.io/identityheroes to watch the episode in video.
