Leadership Profile

Tina Getachew

Communication-First Security Leader

From Policy to Cybersecurity Strategy

I'm a CISSP Associate and PMP-certified security professional with a unique career journey that bridges policy strategy and enterprise cybersecurity. My path into cybersecurity was not traditional. It was earned through curiosity, continuous learning, and a passion for translating complex security challenges into strategic business outcomes.

The Foundation

For over a decade, I worked at the intersection of policy, regulation, and organizational change. As a Senior Risk Management Analyst at the American Academy of Actuaries and later as a Government Relations Specialist, I spent my career understanding how regulatory landscapes shape organizational risk.

I learned to communicate with stakeholders across government, C-suite, and technical teams, a skill that proved invaluable in cybersecurity.

My background allows me to act as a clear translator between technical teams and business leaders, ensuring cybersecurity is fully understood as a strategic enabler, not just a technical function.

The Pivot

In 2022, I made the intentional leap into cybersecurity at Haleon, a 20,000+ employee global enterprise. As a Business Intelligence Manager, I did not just learn security. I owned it.

Rather than following a traditional IT to security path, I brought my strategic lens to a critical gap, making security data intelligible and actionable for organizational leaders.

Why It Matters

My unconventional path gives me a distinct advantage in cybersecurity. I speak both languages. I understand the regulatory and policy context behind security decisions, the technical depth of security architecture, and most importantly, how to communicate security's business value to non-technical leaders.

This ability to bridge technical and strategic thinking allows organizations to move security from a cost center to a competitive advantage.

Certifications & Continuous Learning

CISSP Associate (ISC², 2024)

CompTIA Security+ (2021)

PMP - Project Management Professional (PMI, 2019)

Toastmasters International