Hi, everyone. Just want to say thank you and welcome to for your future. This is an FBI meet and greet panel discussion.This is an exclusive opportunity to hear behind the scenes information from some of our top leaders including and we're gonna be talking about breaking into tech, personal branding, mentorship, sponsorship and allyship. We will also provide insights on how you can pursue a career in stem at the FBI as well as shed light on supportive federal networks within the bureau. Our overall goal of coming to the 2020 three women Tech conference is to reflect the FB I's focus to improving our engagement approach in an effort to support diverse applicants and champion authentic and meaningful relationships with all diverse communities. With that being said, I do want to start off with introductions. My name is Nia mceachern. I am a strategic reporting, the national recruiting efforts in Washington DC for the FBI. I have been in the FBI for about seven years and have had the great opportunity to provide administrative support to case agents working on white collar public corruption cases as well as assist with intake processing for all new applicants coming into the bureau.

I will now push it off to SS A Ayia Miller. You're muted,

right? I think we're, I think I'll get this right at some point in time. So thank you, Nia. And uh thank you for uh for having us. I'm a supervisor, special agent, Elicia Miller, uh with the uh tech operations and development unit and this July Marks, I will mark 16 years uh with the bureau. Uh, as an agent, I have worked uh uh both criminal and uh national security matters and as a tech agent, I have worked the entire spectrum of the FBI investigative program. And prior to the FBI, I was a soldier in the military where I provided technical support to the uh for deployed units. Thank you.

Thank you. I would now like to introduce Miss Tony Roberts.

Hi. Uh Thanks for introducing me and welcoming me to this panel. I'm really excited to share a bit about myself and also learn from others in the group. This August, I will have been with the FBI for 20 years. 17 of those years were in the laboratory division as a forensic examiner and researcher in the latent print discipline. I will have been with it, Infrastructure Division, also known as I I um for three years. Uh the first half of that, I was the special assistant to the director of it and I am currently the administrative unit chief in it.

Nice to meet you. And last, but not least we will have SS A Katherine Sherman.

Hi, everyone. Happy to be here. Um, I'm currently a supervisory special agent at our Washington field office where I supervise one of our cyber squads. I've been with the FBI for 13 years. I've worked primarily a cyber that entire time, both on the criminal and the national security side. Prior to joining the FBI, I worked at the Department of State in their imaging and forensics unit and I have a Bachelor's of Finance and criminology with a master's in cyber security.

Thanks.

Thank you for the introductions. Ladies. Um Just for before we begin to everyone listening. If you have any questions during the discussion, please feel free to write it in the chat. We do have some folks from the FBI hr team that will be collecting that information and we will try to answer any questions as they come up later on. Ok. All right. So let's get started on the first topic we were gonna talk about breaking into tech. So Ss a Miller, what does breaking into tech mean to you? And how did you find your path in this field also? How did you align your tech experience with your career as a special agent?

Wow. So breaking in into tech, um for me, it means breaking down barriers, right? Uh Over the 16 years in the FBI and four different offices, uh there has been no either, no woman in tech or maybe one, in tech in the field offices and normally that one would be me. Right. So, uh, and, you know, over that and you're gonna find that, uh, unfortunately, um, that's the, the, the pattern throughout, right? Unfortunately. And, and with that, if you speak with any, uh, any of the female tech, women in tech, uh, in the offices and on the tech squad, uh, you'll find that getting on that squad uh wasn't easy. Uh There were obstacles and either very obvious obstacles or uh very discreet obstacles because what we're doing and what we have done is to interrupt the norm and the status quo. So yes, for me, it's, it's breaking down barriers when you ask about. Go ahead. I'm

sorry. No, no, just saying thank you for that.

When you ask about uh in terms of finding my path. II, I think my path um was the easiest part of my journey right into tech is finding my path because I've always been stem uh my, my background is in stem, I have a background, background in physics, chemistry and biology and uh toxicology. So II I am stem I messed with it. So for me, there was no other option uh must. And um for, for the bureau, the, the the path was um uh as a, as an honors intern, I came on as an honors intern. That was my first introduction to the bureau aside from all the television shows that we see. And uh I was working in the lab over the summer and uh as part of the program, they will introduce you to all that the FBI has to offer in hopes that you will come back. Right. And so I was introduced to the technical division and all that they did and uh and I made my decision right then and there, I was like, oh, I'll be back.

So it was, it was very easy actually to find my path uh when it uh concerning uh the, the bureau. And in terms of aligning my experiences, I think my, my experiences fell into place perfectly. So my time in the military, it really, I had there was no issue in terms of tech and becoming tech in the military. It was as simple as you take your, for anyone who has been in the military, you take your test and it pretty much tells you what jobs you're going to do well in, right? And so for me, it was all in STEM. So it, it's, it laid out my entire life for me and uh working in a male uh dominant environment in the military also prepared me for working uh in the bureau as well. And also with my STEM background and all of that molded together really uh just fit perfectly into what I could offer um in terms of my career in the FBI.

So as one of very few African American females to obtain a leadership role in the FBI, especially in STEM um with this accomplishment. What inspires you or is there anything that you do daily to, to boost your career?

So what inspires me inspires me is the opportunity to make change um making the path hopefully easier for the next woman in tech. Hopefully make it a little bit easier for myself and all those who are currently in it as well. Um uh While we're here, I, I understand that someone has to be the first and, or the only at some point I do and I take that, uh that responsibility and I accept that responsibility, responsibility wholeheartedly. But sometimes it can be a very brutal and lonely position, right when you are the only and you are the first. And, but what keeps me going and sometimes it gets a little bit, um, um, a little bit, uh you know, with the weight bearing on you is the look on the faces of, of my client. So when they say my client could be our agents in the field or, uh, or local uh partners or federal partners. And typically when I, it, when it, it, the woman, uh law enforcement, uh or uh agent walks in the room and they see a woman tech who is going to be uh as assisting them and his knowledge of to, to assist them in getting them what they want.

They really the look of relief on their face, on their, on their faces is so it's almost audible, is audible. And for me, I think that what gets me going each day is to be able to provide them with safe space where they can ask the questions that they wanna ask, where they can learn without being judged or be be uh talked down to. Really. So that's really what inspires me on a daily basis. And in terms of boosting my career, I stay current. Uh We're in technology, technology changes constantly, something just changed in that one second that I said technology changes constantly, right? So um and if being current, I can provide up to date information to my clients, right? And they will pro they that, that uh to provide that information to my clients, to provide it to our, to our case agents out there in the field that will help them to be successful in their investigation. That spreads words of mouth, word of mouth where I tend to get folks walking and like, hey, you're a li and I'm like, yeah. Uh Right, because you, you get that recommendation, like if you want this done, if you want to get go speak with Olivia.

So that really helps in terms of that. And then in terms of taking uh taking on challenges and taking myself out of my comfort zone, uh that challenges me. It, it gets me to the where I test myself to see how, what are my limits. What else can I learn? Um And raising my hand is sometimes when I don't want to raise my hand and say I will do it. And in doing that, I have, I, I set up my next step in my career, which is being the next uh a lot in uh Mexico in Monterrey, Mexico actually uh starting uh this summer.

Oh, thank you. Um So between this lovely group of women, they have over 55 years working for the FBI and then over 60 years working in STEM. So as we know, STEM is a predominantly male dominated field as well as with the FBI. And so Tony, I wanna ask you, what advice do you have for women who are wanting to pursue a STEM career at the FBI?

Yeah. So it's interesting that you mentioned that because uh I agree, I've actually written a paper on this uh stem is a male dominated field. However, forensic science, the field that I have been working in is actually female dominated. So it's interesting that almost raised this question for a study, you know, does that have an effect on, on female leaders in science and stem? But um yeah, to answer your question, I think it's about finding your niche, um finding something that's special or unique about yourself and then leveraging that um for success and to be used as inspiration in within your STEM field. Um so an example that uh I like to talk about, you know, and it, I would say that in my career in forensic science and prior to that um academia and research, um it's kind of an even playing field with the technical expertise. Um Maybe I've just been fortunate to, to come from a place where there were other high performers. So what I found that set me apart is my um interpersonal skills, right? My, I'm a people person and my ability to communicate and, and to write and that, that really like helped me, right? So, so we're all good in our particular disciplines, but finding that like what's special about you, what sets you apart?

Um And in my case, I think it helped me um I along with a group of other researchers and forensic examiners at the FBI laboratory, we wrote over 20 papers on a latent fingerprint research, sort of proving the reliability of that science. Um I then was able to present those um travel to Interpol, traveled the world um talking about the research. So I would say in a nutshell, find your niche

and we're gonna touch on diversity just a little bit. And so as a member of a diverse community, um what would you say your hardest barrier has been as an employee with the bureau? And how did you overcome that? Like,

yeah. So when I um when I think of this question, I'm not sure if it's a barrier. Exactly. But it's definitely um a factor, you know, in my career in my life as a Latina female um working at the FBI laboratory. Um I think, I don't know, I think when you go to work, you wanna see, you wanna see diversity but you wanna see some leaders that you can relate to that, that look like you. And um we didn't have that, I didn't have that type of inspiration at the laboratory. And I can specifically remember the conversation I had in the hallway with a colleague um where she said, why don't you become that for us? You know, and that really like resonates with me. It's like, OK, you know, maybe I didn't have that but I can give that to somebody else. Um So it was then that I started um to become really engaged with the FBI um diversity advisory committees. Um I took a leadership there um definitely continued my, my work in stem and my research on latent fingerprints. But um that was kind of an avenue and maybe um a way to overcome that factor or, or break that barrier, so to speak.

And so think talking about breaking barriers, we're gonna move into breaking the glass ceiling. Um And so before I begin, I just want to say congratulations to Ss a Catherine Sherman on your next tour of duty as the first Cyber Assistant Legal Attache at our US Embassy in London that is such an amazing accomplishment. Um And so on that, can you just discuss um what advice you would give to your younger self if you could talk to her again?

Sure. Sure. And thank you for that. Um I do hope one day to see that, that we are very limited on the first that are left out there, right? For women, because we're able to kind of break all of these barriers, but I'm super excited for the opportunity and, and to be doing it, you know, as, as the first female going out there in this position, um there's probably a lot of things I would tell my younger self. Um But I think as it relates to tech, first and foremost, is, you know, don't be afraid to ask questions. Um As was previously said by Ss A Miller, a lot of times in technical fields, um we are the only female at the table and you might not want to draw attention to yourself by asking a question that everyone else seems to understand or know the answer to. But in reality, that's probably not the case and having the confidence um to ask those questions and to get smart at the right opportunity will just benefit you. And, and quite frankly, the problem you're dealing with or um or your colleagues there at the table too. So I would certainly tell my younger self, uh don't be afraid to ask questions, right? Um And the second thing is, don't be afraid to do things differently.

Um In the FBI, it's very, uh, you, it's hard to find people that are like me, meaning a female in tech. I'm also a wife and a mom and I used to highly analyze positions. I would seek out based upon how that would impact my work life balance. And I finally realized that I was doing it all wrong. I was comparing myself to people that had those positions before and how they, um how they manage those positions, how, how they completed that job and I needed to do that completely differently. Um I knew I could get the job done. I was competent in my work, but I was going to put boundaries around that, right? And, um, I think Tony Roberts mentioned something like that. Uh be the example that we can, we can have that balance and we can still, um, um, you know, have the boundaries that we need to have for commitments we have outside of the job. So I would tell my younger self not to spend too much time worrying about how something might impact my home life, but going with confidence and do the job, uh, like I know I would be able to do, um, and lastly, it kind of tails into this, know, your worth. Um I think as women overall, we tend to be more humbled and reserved when approaching a situation.

Um But when asked your opinion, be confident in the answer, be confident in your training and your background and in what you bring to the table and the fact that you're at that table. Right. And so I would tell myself not to be so reserved, but to put my opinion out there. Because oftentimes I found I might share my opinion in a back room and then all of a sudden it becomes a solution to a problem when we could have gotten there faster. And, and, um, um, you know, by worth would have been highlighted, right? So I would say those three things

and then knowing you're worth, understand that we belong at the table as well.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

And so just lastly for, for you, um, SS A, um, Sherman, how or what advice would you give for women in their respective fields who are watching us today? Um, how can they continue to break the glass ceiling where they are?

Sure. Um, so I first think we need to identify what the glass ceiling is or where the glass ceiling is. Um, I do think we've moved the needle, um, and I think we've moved the needle, uh, you know, thankful to my work and the work of the panelists here right over the course of our careers, but there still certainly is a glass ceiling to do with. So I think we need to look and identify those areas that have a lack of diversity. Um, we need to learn more about why uh and raise those concerns when appropriate. But then we also need to take our, take responsibility for our own development so that we can contribute, continue to contribute and, and um uh you know, blow through those glass ceilings if you will. Um I think in doing it, there's three major ways. I think 11 is attending conferences like this. Um It opens a dialogue and it allows us to communicate with like minded uh women who are, are trying to kind of tackle this problem. And it also allows us to have confidants, right to develop these friendships that you can go to. Um you know, if we have problems or if we need to kind of sort through a problem, um which has been a critical, critical to my success in this organization.

Um I think the second is we need to celebrate our successes. Uh You know, this goes to women tending, tending to be more humble and, and um not necessarily seeking out the limelight, but if we celebrate our successes, then I think that encourages other women to get in this field. Um I think sometimes tech and cyber is a field that maybe can be intimidating from afar. Um But if we celebrate those successes and we explain how we've gotten there and we show the people that are behind the successes being women or uh other people of diversity, I think it does nothing but encourage people to, to, to kind of follow in those footsteps. Um And lastly, is to lean into mentorship and that's a two way street, right? Um I've gotten a ton out of mentorship in my career. Um but also uh being a mentor, whether that's um you know, informally or formally, um I always take the time when asked, uh even if I'm in the middle of, of, of, you know, a tight deadline to, to make sure I prioritize talking to other women that come and ask me for advice.

Um And, you know, in my field or, or, you know, within our organization. So we have to continue to do that and be each other's um cheerleaders and uh you know, and support system as, as we navigate, um you know, continuing to break glass ceilings,

that's a beautiful segue into inspiration and mentorship. So, Tony, um how has the FBI supported you and women like you? And how essential has mentorship, sponsorship or allyship been for your career?

Yeah. My answer to that is, yes. Yes, yes. Um I, I'm a big proponent of mentorship shadowing um sponsorship, which is when you have an ad, somebody advocate for you. Um All these opportunities really lead to networking. Um And like I mentioned before, you know, for me, um that's what makes the connection, it's those people, connections. I think that's what kind of like puts, gives you the edge, so to speak. Um You know, I would encourage, I would encourage people to participate in these opportunities as, as much as they can, as much as they can. Um One thing, you know, whether it's just a one time coffee with somebody, um a half day, like being able to shadow somebody, you can get so, so much out of that or whether it's like a career long mentorship. Um One thing that the, the bureau has, has done for me when it comes to, to mentor, mentoring and shadowing and sponsorship. Um There is a formal mentoring program called the cross cultural mentoring program. And I have been a part of that since its inception, that's enterprise wide program. Um At the lab division, we also had our own mentoring programs. I took advantage of both of those opportunities. Um Those are more structured, right?

So the, the CC MS program, it's like a year long program. They encourage you to meet with your mentor monthly, you know, you come up with your own schedule. Um But what I have done is I've continued past the year long mentorship. I've continued to stay in touch with my mentor. I can't meet monthly. It's a big time commitment. I'm still in the program and I have a new mentor. Um but I meet with them quarterly, I meet with them when they can. And then I think when it comes to like mentoring and networking, um there's givers and takers, right? There's a, a leadership book on this. And so I have definitely taken, I have taken so much advantage. I have taken so much time from others. But the other part is I'm giving too. Um I've received mentorship through that program, that formal program, I've received mentorship informally, but it's really important to give back to. Um So, you know, it's part of just feeling, feeling fulfilled

and you never know where someone's career is gonna take them. right? So, absolutely, it's always a full circle here at the bureau. Um So before we conclude, Ss a Miller, I just wanted to pose the last question. Um If you could say, what would your vision be for the FBI in the next five years?

Wow. Um What would my vision be? Definitely. And, and uh and my colleagues have touched on it in terms of mentorship, definitely would like to see that expand in terms of mentorship of women for women uh to provide them that safe space to talk, learn and exchange tech, right? This type of cyber technology, but that real safe space could, could span um uh their capability is that right? Being comfortable to ask questions and be, be comfortable to fail and not be afraid to fail and make mistakes. Because through those failures is where we find right, our improvements that we can make ourselves better and how we can make tech better and how we can provide a service that is required, especially when we're talking about uh the work that we do here uh with the FBI uh within the next five years, I would love to see uh more women in tech.

Uh uh Definitely uh something that uh fortunately this position II I, you know, there's some visibility on my part uh where I can go out and I can do speaking engagements and I can uh have those conversations with their new uh new agents uh going through um at the academy right now.

It's fantastic to see them and go, man. I remember when this a long time. So that's fantastic to do that. And it's to be able to see them uh get into uh the program more in terms of women and especially women of color to let them know that it's OK and it may be a little bit hard but it's, it's, it's doable if you have the desire and, and, and the capability

and that's why we're here. So I really wanna say thank you all for taking the time out of your busy days um to speak with us, um your vulnerability, transparency. Um We're really phenomenal. I myself, I'm gonna take a lot of these nuggets back and apply them to my own career. Um I also wanna thank the attendees for taking your time out to visit us and for actively listening. I wanna make sure that we are keeping in touch. We have a keep in touch campaign that we will put in the chat. Um The link will be there, please fill out the entire thing. That way we can send you updates on the jobs that we have available. We will now transition back to our FBI hiring booth. We have members of the FBI hr team. We will also have additional members from the STEM program. Again, ladies feel free to join us. Um If anyone has any questions, we'll be there to answer that. Um And again, thank you guys for joining us. I really do hope that you take the FBI as a consideration for your future endeavors. We do need some more females in tech. We do want to see a lot more diversity. So we do hope that you press that apply button and we will keep in touch with you. Ok? Thank you.

Thank you.