Meet Rebekah Skeete

We recently connected with Rebekah Skeete and have shared our conversation below.

Rebekah, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Hyacinth Skeete, my mother. She has been the picture and definition of “if you want something you’ve never had, you need to do something you’ve never done. And if your first attempt isn’t a win, continue to fight until the battle is won.”

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am blessed to be in a position where I have exciting opportunities on multiple fronts. Primary focus is my work as COO of BlackGirlsHack where I facilitate processes and partnerships that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in advancing the mission. We’ve all heard the adage “it takes a village,” it brings me joy and a sense of fulfillment to extend inclusion into a village of caring individuals to folks who may not have access to one organically. We provide training, resources, and support for individuals entering or working in cybersecurity. Additionally, we are working to increase support for professionals in the broader STEM field.

I’m also in the process of launching my website. If you’re looking for an engaging speaker for your next event, I’m available for speaking engagements. I specialize in security awareness training and motivational speaking, with additional experience as a master of ceremonies and panel moderator. I deliver insightful, impactful presentations tailored to any audience, ensuring they are relevant, inspiring, and actionable.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Staying teachable, curiosity and gratefulness have been the three most important qualities to my journey. I acknowledged the fact very early on that I don’t know everything but I committed to listening, reading and learning all that I could about whatever I set out to do. Keeping my ears and heart open to learn something from sometimes unexpected people and places, helped me attain a sense of equilibrium in an ever changing environment. Curiosity has led me to be investigative and proactive which has been invaluable in IT and cybersecurity. Lastly, remaining grateful helped me appreciate every age and stage, finding silver linings in sometimes dark clouds and standing in the sun on clear days. Any career, or life, has it’s ebbs and flows. Remaining grateful helps keep perspective.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

I’m not trying to be overly pious but honestly… the Bible.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed the following calms me: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Encouragement to be thoughtful kind and knowledgeable in interactions: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Reminder to be teachable: Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rebekahskeete.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlshack
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-skeete-01270192/
• Other: BGH Website: https://blackgirlshack.org/
  BGH LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/blackgirlshack