Katie Grigorov: A Journey of Resilience, Growth, and Owning Your Path

There are some people whose growth you don’t just witness, you feel. Katie is one of those people for me.

I’ve had the privilege of watching Katie Grigorov grow over the years, and seeing her journey unfold has been incredibly meaningful. What makes Katie’s story stand out isn’t just where she is today, but the path she took to get there, a path shaped by resilience, uncertainty, and a determination to build something better for herself and her family.

Katie’s life began in an orphanage, where she learned early on how to survive without guarantees. She was later adopted and brought to a completely new country, navigating a new language, culture, and environment while trying to understand who she was and where she fit. There was no clear roadmap, only a desire for more and the willingness to work for it. That early foundation shaped how Katie approaches everything in her life, with grit, discipline, and a deep sense of self-reliance.

Over the years, I’ve watched that resilience carry her through fifteen years of service in the Army Reserves, multiple career pivots, and into a demanding field like cybersecurity and compliance. Alongside her professional growth, Katie has built a full life with her family as a mother of three, balancing ambition with responsibility and service. This interview reflects the full picture of her journey, the challenges she faced, the growth I’ve witnessed, and the leader she continues to become.

Career Journey

If someone only knew you as “Katie Grigorov, the cybersecurity professional,” what would you want them to understand about the full journey it took to get here?

Before the title, there was survival and a lot of uncertainty.

I grew up in an orphanage, where you learn early that nothing is promised and that you have to find strength within yourself. Later, I was adopted and brought to an entirely new country, surrounded by a new language, culture, and way of life. Even then, I didn’t suddenly have clarity about who I wanted to be or what my future would look like. I just knew I wanted more from life, and I was determined to work for it.

That foundation shaped how I approach everything. I learned that success doesn’t come from having all the answers, but from being willing to keep going without them. I took risks without knowing where they would lead, trusted the process even when it felt uncomfortable, and stayed consistent when quitting would have been easier. You truly get out of life what you’re willing to put into it.

Growing up the way I did also taught me independence and resilience. Trust didn’t come easily, but discipline did. I learned to rely on my own effort, my work ethic, and my ability to adapt.

Along the way, I found inspiration in people who were driven, passionate, and intentional about their goals. They reinforced a lesson that still guides me today: who you surround yourself with matters. This career didn’t come from a clear roadmap or perfect timing. It came from persistence, self-belief, and the refusal to let where I started define where I would end up.

You’ve built experience across healthcare operations, project management, and now cybersecurity. What was the first pivot that truly changed everything for you, and why?

The first pivot that really changed everything for me started when I became a mom. Having kids made me look at my life and career differently. I wanted them to be proud of me, not just because I worked hard, but because I kept growing and didn’t stop challenging myself. Around that same time, I was working alongside some incredibly smart, driven people who genuinely cared about what they did.

Being part of those teams mattered more than I realized at the time. I wasn’t just watching great work happen, I was encouraged to ask questions, learn, and push myself. People trusted me, gave me opportunities, and supported my curiosity. That combination made a huge difference. It turned a quiet internal thought of “maybe I could do more” into “I want to be really good at something.”

I didn’t have a clear career plan then. I didn’t know exactly where I was headed. But being surrounded by people who were confident in their skills and passionate about their work made me want to build that same kind of expertise for myself. I wanted to stop just being adjacent to the work and start truly owning something.

That shift didn’t happen overnight. It came from taking small risks, putting in the effort, and saying yes to opportunities even when I wasn’t fully sure where they would lead. That combination, personal motivation and being supported by the right people, is what ultimately led me into cybersecurity and shaped how I approach my career today.

You’ve served in the Army Reserves for over a decade. What has that experience taught you about discipline, leadership, and grit, and how does it show up in your civilian career today?

This June will mark 15 years in the Army Reserves, and the military has been one of the biggest influences on how I approach leadership and responsibility. At its core, the Army taught me discipline, patience, and how to stay grounded under pressure. During my service, I learned that you don’t always get the luxury of time or perfect information. You have to think on your feet, be prepared for anything, and have the confidence to make decisions when it matters.

As a noncommissioned officer, leadership goes beyond rank. Your patience and emotions are tested, and you’re expected to remain professional no matter the situation. You learn quickly that your Soldiers are watching how you respond, not just what you say and that responsibility requires consistency and sound judgment.

Those lessons translate directly into my civilian career. I’m comfortable working with different personalities, navigating challenging situations, and staying calm when pressure is high. I focus on clear communication and practical solutions, especially when stakes are high.

The military didn’t create my work ethic, but it gave it structure. It reinforced consistency, follow-through, emotional intelligence, and accountability. Being supportive doesn’t mean lowering standards, it means being fair, clear, and dependable. That balance is something I carry with me every day, both in uniform and out.

The Pivot to Cyber

Moving from project management into PCI and cybersecurity is a major shift. What drew you to this space, and what did you have to prove to yourself along the way?

What first drew me into PCI and cybersecurity was trust, specifically trust from leadership.

I still remember opening my email one morning and seeing a meeting invite with a Senior Manager and a Partner, filled with acronyms I had never seen before: PCI and QSA. My first reaction was that it had to be a mistake. I joined the call and asked if I was actually supposed to be there, and I was. That moment became my first real introduction to the space.

The meeting was about building a PCI service and program from the ground up, similar to how other service lines had been built before. Once I became part of that effort, everything changed. I was working alongside people who were deeply knowledgeable and genuinely willing to teach. They took the time to explain the why behind the work, not just the process. We built it together, and through that experience, I realized I wanted to truly understand the space, not just support it.

That curiosity turned into commitment. I started reading, researching, asking questions, and learning from people who were some of the best in the field. The more I learned, the more I wanted to own the knowledge and grow into it. Over time, I was encouraged to keep going, with the idea that becoming a QSA was something I could realistically work toward.

Along the way, I had to prove something to myself. I needed to know that I could step into a highly technical and demanding space and belong there. I worked on multiple PCI projects that continued to build my experience and confidence, and regular check-ins and encouragement helped keep that goal alive.

In early January of 2025, I called one of my closest friends and role models and told her I was setting a clear goal for myself to earn my QSA that year, no matter what. She did not hesitate. She told me she believed in me, and that belief stayed with me. From that moment on, I committed fully. I reorganized my time, pushed through long nights of studying, asked questions relentlessly, and stayed disciplined even when it was exhausting. It was not about proving anything to others. It was about proving to myself that I could take on something difficult, stay consistent, and follow through on a goal I set for myself.

What was the hardest part of that transition, whether it was skills, confidence, impostor syndrome, or starting over, and what helped you push through it?

The hardest part of the transition was impostor syndrome. Earning a certification doesn’t magically make you feel ready. There’s a moment where you hold that piece of paper and think, “This is it? This is what says I can do this?” Intellectually, I knew I had the skills and had put in the work, but emotionally, it didn’t always feel real.

When I stepped into the role, I felt like a brand-new kid in a new school. Everyone around me was incredibly smart, highly experienced, and deeply knowledgeable. I was surrounded by people who had been in the space far longer than I had, and it was intimidating. On top of that, being a woman in a highly technical field added another layer to that feeling. I felt like an imposter, like a kid sitting at a table full of adults.

What made it harder was that my confidence in my abilities was there, but the environment was so impressive that it was easy to question myself anyway. At the same time, working alongside people at that level was fascinating. It pushed me to learn faster, ask better questions, and raise my own standards.

What helped me push through was time and experience. Project by project, that feeling slowly shifted. The questions I asked became more confident. The decisions felt more natural. The work started to confirm what the certification alone couldn’t. I didn’t just belong on paper. I belonged in practice. Eventually, I stopped seeing myself as the new kid and started recognizing the work I had earned. Impostor syndrome didn’t disappear overnight, but it lost its grip as my confidence caught up to my experience.

Self-Care, Growth, and the Human Behind the Resume

You are a mother of three while building a demanding career. What has motherhood taught you about strength, prioritization, and boundaries that has made you better in your work?

Motherhood has taught me just how strong I really am. My kids are my biggest motivation, and I don’t think I would have pushed myself as hard as I have if it weren’t for them. Knowing they are watching how I navigate my career makes me more intentional about the choices I make and the example I set.

Every year, I volunteer at my child’s elementary school for Career Day and talk to students in grades three through five about cybersecurity. The kids are curious, engaged, and genuinely excited to learn. What surprises me most is that long after Career Day, during other school events, they still recognize me and say, “That’s the cyber lady.” I’m just a volunteer, but moments like that show me how much representation and visibility matter. If my work can inspire curiosity and confidence in other kids, I know it carries even more meaning for my own children.

Motherhood has also taught me a different kind of patience and understanding. It has helped me slow down, listen more, and be more empathetic toward others. I’ve learned to appreciate the small wins, celebrate progress, and genuinely support the accomplishments of people around me. That perspective has made me a better teammate and leader. It has also changed how I prioritize and set boundaries. Time is no longer endless, so I’m more intentional with it. I focus on what truly matters, protect my time with my family, and bring my best energy to the work that matters most.

I have had the privilege of watching your growth up close, and I am incredibly proud of how far you have come. When you look back at earlier versions of yourself, what are you most proud of today?

When I look back, what I’m most proud of is that I kept going through a lot of uncertainty and didn’t let it stop me from growing. For a long time, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do or where I was headed. I was figuring things out as I went. What mattered to me was staying true to who I am and treating people the way I would want to be treated, regardless of my role or where I was in my career. That part of me didn’t change, even when everything else did.

I think about the little girl in the orphanage often. She had so many things she wanted to do, but very little sense of how life would actually unfold or how far she could go. I don’t think she ever imagined this version of me. I’m proud that I didn’t give up on myself during the moments when things felt overwhelming, unclear, or discouraging, even when it would have been easier to stop trying.

I’m also proud that I learned how to set a goal and actually follow through on it. Not just wanting something, but taking the time to understand what it would require, putting in the work, and staying committed even when progress felt slow or uncomfortable. That process changed me in ways that feel real and earned.

Now, when people ask me where I started or what their first step should be, I don’t think there’s a perfect answer. For me, it started with wanting something more and deciding not to walk away from it, even when I wasn’t confident or sure of myself. Looking back, that choice mattered more than having a clear plan.

You juggle a lot, from career and service to motherhood and everything in between. When you finally get a moment to yourself, what does real rest or self-care look like for you? Are there any routines or habits that help ground you when life feels especially full?

When I actually get a moment to myself, which is rare with three kids, I love taking long walks at the park and listening to music. Music is a big mood-setter for me. It helps me reset my head and slow down, even if it’s just for a little while. I also really enjoy spending time with friends and family binge-watching TV shows. Game shows are my favorite, things like The Floor, Next Level Chef, and Devil’s Plan. It’s an easy way to unwind without having to think too hard, which honestly feels like a luxury sometimes.

I’m not a big traveler, but every once in a while I like getting out of Georgia and going somewhere different just to reset. If there were snow-covered mountains nearby, that’s probably where you’d find me. There’s something about the quiet and the cold that feels grounding.

Working out is another big one for me. It gives me structure, clears my mind, and makes me feel better about myself overall. And when I’m feeling especially overwhelmed, I tend to channel that energy into organizing the house, redoing the kids’ rooms, or starting a new DIY project. It might not sound relaxing, but there’s something really satisfying about creating order and seeing something finished.

Beyond cybersecurity, you’re also a photographer and the creative behind my Tech She Secures headshots. How important has it been for you to hold onto that creative side of yourself as you’ve grown in your career?

I bought my first camera after having my first baby because I was afraid of how quickly moments disappear. I didn’t want to look back and realize I missed the small things. Photography became a way for me to slow time down, even just a little, and be fully present with my kids while creating something we could keep forever.

Over time, it grew into something I genuinely love sharing with others. I’m drawn to real moments and natural happiness, not perfect poses or staged smiles. I love capturing people as they are, the laughter, the comfort, and the in-between moments that usually happen when no one is paying attention. Some of my favorite memories are actually what was happening just before or after the photo was taken.

Having something creative alongside a demanding career matters to me. Photography gives me space to breathe, to feel, and to stay connected to the people I care about. It reminds me to slow down and notice what’s right in front of me. It’s a part of my life that brings me a lot of joy, and I don’t want to lose that as everything else keeps moving forward.

Lessons, Advice, and What’s Next

For someone watching your journey and thinking, “I want to pivot, but I do not know if I can,” what would you tell them?

Start by researching what the end goal actually requires. Look at the steps people took to get there, the certifications or skills needed (if any), and what “entry” and “mid-level” experience looks like in that space. Then be honest about the timeline. Most pivots take longer than we want, and that’s normal.

Once you understand the path, break it into smaller steps and take them intentionally, one at a time. Pick one thing to focus on first, then build from there. Small, consistent progress adds up faster than people think, especially when you stick with it.

And expect bumps. Something will not go exactly how you planned. A test might not go your way, you might feel behind, or you might second-guess yourself. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It just means you regroup, adjust the plan, and pick it back up. The people who make successful pivots aren’t the ones who never struggle, they’re the ones who keep moving forward anyway.

What are you most proud of in this season of your life, not just professionally, but as a whole person?

As a whole person, I’m most proud of the life I’ve built for my kids. I’m proud that I’m able to give them a sense of stability, opportunity, and safety that I didn’t have growing up. Not because they want for nothing, but because they get to grow up knowing they are supported, loved, and encouraged to explore who they are. Being able to give them a life I didn’t get to experience means more to me than any professional milestone. In this season, pride looks less like titles or achievements and more like wholeness. Building a life, breaking cycles, and knowing that the path forward for my kids looks different than the one I started on. That matters most to me right now.

Looking ahead, what is next for you? Over the next 12 to 24 months, what are you hoping to build, learn, or step into?

Over the next year or two, I want to keep learning and pushing myself in meaningful ways. One area I’m especially interested in is deepening my technical understanding, particularly around cloud technologies. Not necessarily becoming a subject matter expert, but understanding it well enough to strengthen how I show up in my work and continue growing in my career. Having that technical context matters, especially as environments become more complex.

I’m also looking forward to taking on challenging projects that stretch me. I want work that makes me think, tests my limits a bit, and helps me sharpen my skills. That’s where I tend to learn the most.

Another important focus for me is continuing to connect with people who genuinely care about their work and are willing to share what they’ve learned. There are so many talented, thoughtful leaders out there, and it’s easy to lose sight of that when everyone is buried in day-to-day work. I want to be more intentional about learning from others’ experiences and perspectives, not just staying in my own lane.

And alongside all of that, I also have military milestones I’m working toward. Serving continues to be an important part of my life, and I’m proud to keep growing in that space as well. Right now, what’s next isn’t about a single title or destination. It’s about staying curious, continuing to learn, and being intentional about how I grow across all parts of my life.

As someone actively working in security and compliance, what are the top cyber trends you think people should watch out for in 2026?

As we move into 2026, one of the biggest trends to watch is the rise of AI-driven attacks. Attackers are using AI to make phishing, scams, and impersonation far more convincing and scalable than before. Messages look more natural, timing is better, and attacks are harder to distinguish from legitimate communication. This puts pressure on organizations to move beyond basic awareness training and think more seriously about identity protection, verification, and layered defenses.

Another major trend, particularly in payment security and PCI environments, is the growing complexity of modern systems. As companies rely more on cloud platforms, third-party services, and embedded payment tools, it’s becoming harder to clearly understand where sensitive data flows and who is responsible for protecting it at each point. Many security and compliance issues aren’t happening because organizations don’t care, but because visibility has been lost as environments grow more interconnected. In 2026, organizations that take the time to truly understand how their data moves and who owns it will be far better positioned than those relying on assumptions.

The trend I’m watching most closely is third-party and supply-chain risk. More breaches are happening because a vendor or partner with weaker security is used as the way in, even when the main organization is doing things right. Attackers tend to look for the easiest path, and that path is often someone you already trust. Going forward, understanding who you work with, what access they have, and how their security impacts your own will be just as important as protecting your internal systems.

The BADdest Moment

Tell us about the “BADdest” challenge you’ve taken on in your career — the Boldest, most Authentic, and Driven moment you’re most proud of — and how it shaped the leader you are today.

One of the boldest and most defining challenges I’ve taken on was deploying to Afghanistan. As a young woman deploying into a red zone, that alone carried a weight that’s hard to describe unless you’ve lived it. During my tour, I held multiple roles, each with its own responsibilities, but one experience stands out more than the rest.

At one point, I was assigned to a finance role that required physically moving cash from one forward operating base to another. Under normal circumstances, that movement would have been done by helicopter, but none were available at the time. The only option was to move by convoy. That meant leaving the gate and traveling through the city, fully exposed, knowing that anything could happen. The FOBs weren’t hours apart, but they weren’t close either, and distance feels very different in that environment.

I remember putting on all my gear, carrying a loaded weapon with full magazines, and realizing how unfamiliar and serious the situation was. I had never done anything like that before. I was scared, and I didn’t try to pretend otherwise. But fear wasn’t something you had the luxury to dwell on. The mission still had to get done, and everyone involved was relying on each other to stay focused and alert.

I don’t remember exactly how long that convoy took, but I remember how it felt. Time stretched. Every movement felt amplified. My heart was pounding the entire way, and I don’t think I took a full, steady breath until we were safely back. It wasn’t a moment of reflection or realization. It was a moment of doing what needed to be done because there was no alternative.

Looking back now, that experience is one of many that shaped how I handle pressure and responsibility. It taught me how to stay focused when things are uncomfortable, how to keep moving forward even when fear is present, and how to trust training and preparation when the situation demands it. Those lessons didn’t stay in Afghanistan. They followed me into civilian life and leadership roles, where pressure exists in different forms but still requires calm, accountability, and steady decision-making. That experience didn’t make me fearless, but it did make me dependable under pressure, and that has shaped the leader I am today.

Closing Reflections

What stays with me after this conversation is not just what Katie has accomplished, but how she has done it. With consistency. With intention. With heart.

Katie is proof that strength does not have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes it looks like showing up again and again. Choosing growth even when it is uncomfortable. Balancing service, career, creativity, and motherhood without losing yourself along the way. Her journey shows that leadership is built through follow-through, self-belief, and showing up when it matters most.

I have watched her question herself, push through anyway, and grow into a confident, capable security professional while staying grounded in her values and creativity. Katie’s journey is a powerful reminder that where you start does not define where you can go. Pivots are possible. Growth is layered. Becoming is not a single moment, but a series of quiet, courageous choices made over time.

I am endlessly proud of you, Katie. Not just for what you have achieved, but for the way you carry yourself through it all. Thank you for trusting me with your story and for being exactly who you are. This field, and this world, is better because you are in it.

Maliha

Disclaimer: The content on this blog and website reflects a combination of my personal experiences, perspectives, and insights, as well as interviews and contributions from other individuals. It does not represent the opinions, policies, or strategies of any organization I am currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This platform serves as a personal space for sharing ideas, lessons learned, and meaningful reflections.