From Teaching to Threat Hunting: Alena Funtikova-White’s Leap into Cybersecurity

2025-07-04

In this episode of K.O.’s Launchpad, we share an inspiring journey of transformation, dedication, and growth. The highlight of this week's episode is Alena, who transformed her career from research and teaching to defending against cyber threats at State Farm. Her path demonstrates what is possible when you commit to growth and lean into new challenges with curiosity. This episode dives deeply into how to build technical capabilities from a non-traditional background, the value of continuous i...

In this episode of K.O.’s Launchpad, we share an inspiring journey of transformation, dedication, and growth.

The highlight of this week's episode is Alena, who transformed her career from research and teaching to defending against cyber threats at State Farm. Her path demonstrates what is possible when you commit to growth and lean into new challenges with curiosity.

This episode dives deeply into how to build technical capabilities from a non-traditional background, the value of continuous improvement, and the importance of fostering the growth of others through mentorship. Whether you are considering a shift into cybersecurity or seeking to elevate your current journey, this episode is a guide for moving forward with clarity and resilience.

Instagram: /astroinfosec
LinkedIn: /astroinfosec

Comments (3)