The power of choice to unlock your destiny | Dr. Cheryl Cooper | TEDxBazeUniversity
In this deeply personal and inspiring TEDx talk, Dr. Cheryl Cooper, global cybersecurity leader, bestselling author, and U.S. Navy veteran, shares how one intentional decision transformed her life from the streets of St. Louis to the C-suite. With powerful insights from her journey through adversity, military discipline, and breaking barriers in tech, Dr. Cooper challenges us to stop waiting for permission and start owning our future. Whether you're rebuilding, redefining, or just beginning, this talk will stir you to act, lead, and rise, one choice at a time. Because the future isn’t fate. It’s chosen. Dr. Cheryl Cooper is a trailblazing United States Navy Veteran and Doctorate of Computer Science, globally renowned for her transformative leadership in cybersecurity. With nearly three decades of experience, she most recently served as an Information Security Officer for T-Mobile and is the International President for Women in CyberSecurity (WiCYS). She is empowering organizations to cultivate diverse cyber talent and foster a culture of innovation. As the host of the podcast "Ctrl+Alt+Em-Power," Dr. Cooper unlocks the critical intersections of cyber resilience, technology, and inclusion. An accomplished author, Dr. Cooper's most recent book "Breaking the Code: Winning Strategies for Women in Cybersecurity & Tech," launched in 2025. Cooper's mission is clear: "We must see the Black and Brown girl in a world in which she is usually unseen." This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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