Erica Shoemate: From Breaking In to Breaking Barriers – A Memphis Trailblazer Reshaping AI & Cybersecurity on Her Own Terms

From First-Gen College Grad to Big Tech and AI Policy, Erica Shoemate Proves That "Curiosity is the Currency"

In the latest episode of “Breaking into Cybersecurity,” we had the pleasure of speaking with Erica Shoemate, a trailblazer who has left an indelible mark on the cybersecurity landscape. Erica’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. Her journey from the bustling streets of inner-city Memphis [01:11] to the corridors of national security and Big Tech is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

An Unconventional Path to Cybersecurity

Erica Shoemate’s path to cybersecurity was far from traditional. As a first-generation college graduate from inner-city Memphis, she emphasizes that this upbringing “really informs the work that I do today” [01:20]. She began her career serving vulnerable communities at the local government level, a role that grounded her in the fundamental understanding that “safety starts with people and not systems” [01:28].

This human-centered lens propelled her into the field of national security. Her journey was kick-started by a student clerkship at the U.S. Attorney’s office during her undergraduate studies [10:25]. After earning a Bachelor of Paralegal Studies [11:06], she faced a setback after not performing well on the LSAT [11:24], an experience she shares openly. Calling herself the “queen of pivots” [11:30], she earned a Master of Public Administration [11:36], which led to a prestigious scholarship that brought her to Washington, D.C.—a trip that included her first-ever flight on an airplane [12:13].

An interview with the FBI’s Victim Services Division director turned a 30-minute chat into an hour-long connection [12:49], ultimately opening the door to her career at the bureau. Her work in national security, counter-terrorism, and cyber warfare [02:23] gave her an unparalleled perspective on global risks and the importance of diverse lived experiences in policymaking.

From National Security to Tech Leadership

Personal circumstances accelerated Erica’s pivot from national security to the Tech Industry. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with her daughter being less than a year post-open heart surgery, made remote work a necessity [14:55]. This led her to a role at Twitter as the Head of Site Policy for the Americas [15:22].

She was immediately tested, joining just days before the massive 2020 Twitter cybersecurity breach [16:02]. She was a leader in the background, helping to lead the response [16:09] and build the stopgaps afterward. Her tenure also involved creating a novel policy for prisoners of war during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, consulting the Geneva Convention to launch a robust policy in record time [16:35].

Later recruited by Amazon, she served as the Global Head for Display and Sponsor Ad Policies [17:08]. Here, her human-centered approach was applied to digital advertising, particularly in setting safety standards for content featuring children, such as those near “bodies of water [or] riding toys” [17:31], and navigating the complex, emerging policies for real money gaming [17:57].

The Queen of Pivot: Navigating Change with Curiosity and Courage

Erica is often hailed as the “Queen of Pivot” for her ability to adapt to cutting-edge technologies and evolving threats. She lives by the motto that “curiosity is the currency” [09:29], encouraging aspiring professionals always to be “sitting at the feet of learning” [09:37].

She emphasizes that her varied background is a strength, not a weakness. Her training as an intelligence analyst and her paralegal studies provided her with a deep understanding of policy [21:47], enabling her to serve as a “bridge builder” [25:23] who can connect technical, legal, and human stakeholders.

Pioneering AI Policy and Human-Centered Innovation

Today, Erica is the founder and principal strategist of The EN Strategy Group [18:33]. She advises organizations on building responsible AI and digital safety frameworks, guided by her “northstar” of a human-centered approach [20:49].

She brings a critical perspective to the AI revolution, warning companies against the rush to lay off employees, noting that “you cannot replace institutional knowledge” [30:07]. Erica champions the idea that proper AI safety requires diverse, global perspectives, not just “Eurocentric” [34:03] data, to mitigate bias. She argues that companies can, and must, have both “profit and purpose” [33:22].

Conclusion

Erica Shoemate’s journey from inner-city Memphis to becoming a formidable force in cybersecurity and AI policy showcases the power of purpose-driven leadership. Her work continues to inspire those who seek to make a positive impact in the digital age, reminding us that adaptability, courage, and a focus on humanity are crucial in navigating the complexities of our rapidly changing world. As Erica continues to lead at the crossroads of technology and ethics, her story serves as a beacon of hope and progress for all striving to break into cybersecurity and beyond.

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You can find the full interview with Erica Shoemate on the “Breaking Into Cybersecurity” channel here:

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