Woman of the Week - Shannon Scott - Fortinet
From the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, to the forefront of cybersecurity leadership, Shannon Scott’s journey is one defined by bold pivots, intentional growth, and the power of mentorship. In this inspiring Woman of the Week conversation, Jacquie Rives sits down with Shannon, Director of MSSP Channel at Fortinet, to uncover how a seasoned career in global account management transformed into a thriving leadership role in the channel.
Though Shannon only entered the channel four years ago, her 20+ year career in the tech industry—beginning at a global carrier—prepared her with deep cross-functional experience, a passion for mentoring, and the courage to take strategic risks. One of her most pivotal career moves? Choosing to “step down to step over,” leaving a leadership role to become an individual contributor in a new field. That leap ultimately positioned her to lead a team supporting over 300 MSSP partners.
Shannon shares thoughtful insights on:
- The underestimated power of consistent performance in building a standout personal brand.
- Why mentorship and sponsorship have been cornerstones of her success—and how she now pays it forward.
- How individualized leadership fuels team development.
- The hard-earned lesson: being good at something doesn’t mean you’re meant to do it forever.
Join us in celebrating Shannon’s bold leadership style, unwavering reliability, and her commitment to lifting others as she rises. This interview is a must-watch for anyone considering a pivot, seeking to lead with intention, or simply needing the reminder that career growth isn't always linear—sometimes it starts with the courage to take a step sideways.