Michelle Lambiasi
CSO, SAIC
Michelle Lambiasi leads a team of devoted security professionals who work in intense crises and solve complex issues while functioning together without missing a beat.
“I try to lead by giving my team room to do their jobs, monitor at all times to ensure risk is mitigated as much as possible and provide them the tools they need to succeed,” she said. “One of the things I am most proud of is my team.”
SAIC Chief Information Officer Nathan Rogers firmly believes Lambiasi is an exceptional holistic leader, capable of building and nurturing a high-performing team.
“Michelle’s commitment to excellence has transformed SAIC’s security operations into an exemplary force,” Rogers said. “She is not only a guardian of our organization, but also a true inspirational leader while setting the standard for security leadership in the industry.”
About 12 years ago, Lambiasi was bedridden for two years because of a debilitating illness. This experience, facing her own mortality, became a powerful motivator. Now, Lambiasi dedicates her free time to inspiring and helping the chronically ill regain their vitality using natural methods.
Why Watch
In 2024, Lambiasi’s team is heavily focused on managing change. With numerous aspects of our world in flux— from a security standpoint — change poses challenges. Unpredictability is hard to manage with limited budgets, so her team is conducting risk-based analysis to strategically allocate its resources.
One of Lambiasi’s favorite quotes is, “What got you here, won’t get you there.” She believes many individuals who reach higher levels of leadership continue to act as they did when they were individual contributors, which can be ineffective.
“If you want to continue on a path of success, you cannot remain stagnant,” she said. “Constant growth, change and the reinventing of oneself is the only way one will be able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the business and our industry.”