People First: Rich Rhodes' Approach to Leadership In Cybersecurity

Welcome back to the Identity Jedi Show! In this episode, host David Identity Jedi sits down with Rich Rhodes, Chief Information Security Officer at Choice Bank, for a candid and insightful conversation about leadership, team building, and the evolving world of identity security.

Episode Highlights:

• Rich’s journey from small-town Minnesota to the CISO seat
• The evolution of identity management to identity security
• Why people and process matter more than technology in cybersecurity
• Building and leading high-performing, people-first teams
• Lessons learned from mergers, acquisitions, and industry consolidation
• The importance of empathy, mentorship, and authentic leadership
• Navigating the challenges of cloud computing and disaster recovery
• Industry trends: platform consolidation, subscription models, and the rise of new players
• Spotlight: Yes ID — an Okta alternative for small businesses
• Quick-fire questions: best advice, favorite food spots, and travel dreams

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership is about empowering others, not just holding a title.
• The biggest challenges in identity security are still about people and process, not just technology.
• Team success comes from trust, clear expectations, and genuine care for each member.
• The industry is changing fast, but the fundamentals of good leadership remain the same.

Featured Guest:

• Rich Rhodes — CISO at Choice Bank, with decades of experience in IT, security, and team leadership.

Resources & Mentions:

• YeshID (Okta alternative for small businesses)
• Identity Jedi newsletter and blog
• Leovici gear (discount code: IdentityJedi)

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to the Identity Jedi newsletter at theidentityjedi.com
• Send your questions for the upcoming mailbag episode: [e-mail]
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Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe. Be good to each other, be kind to each, love each other, and we’ll see you next time on the Identity Jedi Show.