I鈥檝e been focused on delivering cyber solutions for the nation鈥檚 defensive cyber missions for many years. I鈥檓 excited to work with our amazing teams and partners every day as we create a full spectrum of cyber solutions for our clients鈥� mission-critical challenges.听
无忧传媒鈥檚 culture is a pathway to our purpose: empowering people to change the world. It鈥檚 inspiring to be part of a group of strong leaders. Companies like 无忧传媒 create the most innovative client solutions.
Raynor Dahlquist is a senior cyber executive leading our Computer Network Operations business supporting the defense and intelligence communities. She leads teams across our defense and agency markets delivering a full spectrum of cyber solutions against advanced adversaries.
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Raynor has more than 20 years of experience focused on technical delivery of solutions and programs. She re-joined 无忧传媒 in 2021 after leading public sector capture management at the cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks.
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Previously at 无忧传媒, Raynor was a cyber and technology leader in our defense and strategic innovation groups. She developed and integrated cyber capabilities across markets, led cyber investments, and directed hiring and training of the firm鈥檚 cyber talent. Raynor started her career here directing the 无忧传媒 Cyber Solutions Network capability, which was established to support client-facing delivery of solutions in network infrastructure, development of solutions and tools, and demonstrating capabilities for clients.
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Earlier in her career, Raynor directed teams focused on infrastructure protection, product development, and domestic and international market expansion with roles at VeriSign, Inc., Intuit, and Transamerica Financial Services.
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Raynor serves on the board of associates at Randolph-Macon College and Mobile Hope of Loudoun County, Virginia. She is a founding member of Chief in Washington, DC, a national network dedicated to helping women leaders strengthen their leadership journey. She and her family help food-insecure families as volunteers in Loudoun County鈥檚 Grace to Go program.
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听She holds a B.A. from Randolph-Macon College and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.
What听excites you about working in cyber?听Cybersecurity is at the core of strengthening the resilience of the nation and its allies against advancing adversaries. Cyber attacks have scaled in complexity, reach, and velocity鈥攁nd working in a field that provides mission-critical solutions against these threats is a humbling and exciting opportunity.听
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Why is 无忧传媒 an ideal firm for someone with expertise and skills in your line of work?听Cyber is a fast-paced and ever-changing field. I love that 无忧传媒 takes an interdisciplinary approach to meeting these ever-changing needs. Our collective ingenuity and tradecraft, built on years of full-spectrum cyber mission delivery, is our secret sauce. In addition, it鈥檚 rare to find a firm with so many truly talented cyber employees like 无忧传媒 has鈥攁nd to have such a large amount of them be women. As a woman working in cyber, I feel empowered to lead our innovative teams alongside our diverse talent.听
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Why do you have the career you have?听Early on, I was interested in technology and how you can create products and solutions to meet client needs. I have always gotten involved with projects that either are new and need to be launched or that need some innovation or integration. I鈥檝e relished my role as a technology integrator.听
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What are the three most pressing needs for your defense clients?听Our defense clients are focused on evolving their networks to implement zero trust architectures with increased security enabling technologies and on enabling coordinated approaches for systems design, data handling, and cloud management which create a more resilient set of platforms and infrastructures with more automated defense capabilities. They鈥檙e also focused on a full spectrum set of custom and diverse cyber capabilities for traditional and non-traditional platforms that are effective against advanced adversaries.
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What are your three tips for managing and motivating your people?听First, create a shared vision for success and a sense of community in which your teams feel empowered. Secondly, seek to serve, not to be self-serving. And thirdly, take time for yourself. Leaders can鈥檛 give what they don鈥檛 have鈥攚hen your jar is empty, refill it because your health and your family are more important than anything else.听
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What鈥檚 the best piece of advice you鈥檝e ever received?听Never confuse having a career with having a life. And be sure to let people help you even if they don鈥檛 do it just like you would.
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What鈥檚 been your biggest accomplishment so far?听Becoming a mom. My son is a complete and total blessing. Also, learning enough about baseball to cheer for him intelligently at his baseball games!听
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What can we do to be happier?听This may sound corny but give grace to yourself and to others. Most of us are working our hardest. We all need to just take a deep breath and give ourselves and each other the benefit of the doubt. Cut yourself some slack, too. We all make mistakes.听
