Live from WIPL: Tania Bryant on Resilience, Cybersecurity, and Empowering Women in Law
In the latest installment of Law.com’s Legal Speak podcast, recorded live from the Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) conference in Washington, D.C., on October 15, 2025, host Cedra Mayfield interviews Tania Medina Bryant, Chief Cybersecurity & Technology Regulation Counsel at Marsh McLennan. Billed as one of the “most inspiring and empowering women’s conferences in the legal space,” WIPL drew over 900 senior female leaders for networking and panels on influence and equity. This 20-minute episode dives into Bryant’s trailblazing path, blending her expertise in cybersecurity with lessons on resilience and professional growth—perfect for women navigating high-stakes legal and tech roles. It’s a motivational listen packed with actionable wisdom from a self-made expert.
Tania Medina Bryant’s Career Highlights
Bryant, a Latina and the first in her family to attend law school, has built a 15+ year career at the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and national security. Starting as a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force, she prosecuted computer crimes, trained 300+ personnel, and advised on investigations—recovering digital evidence and collaborating with forensic labs. She later shaped policy at the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, guiding audits across 22 agencies impacting 240,000 employees.
Transitioning to the private sector, Bryant overcame 100+ job rejections to land in-house roles at Fortune 500 firms, doubling her salary. A pivotal move: While pregnant with her second child and working full-time, she earned a Master’s in Cybersecurity in just two years, despite managerial pushback. Five months post-graduation, she pioneered a cybersecurity law niche at the FDIC, then advanced to Dell Technologies and now Marsh McLennan, where she leads global regulatory programs, advises on incident response, and mitigates tech risks. Her mantra? The “Maverick Method”—a framework born from her journey, emphasizing curiosity and resilience to turn obstacles into opportunities.
Key Insights: Cybersecurity, Resilience, and Lifting Women Up
The conversation spotlights Bryant’s WIPL participation, weaving her story with timely themes for women in law:
- Cybersecurity in a Regulated World: Bryant demystifies the field’s evolution, stressing proactive compliance and tech adoption. She shares how curiosity led her to blend law with cybersecurity, opening doors in an emerging space: “I saw an opportunity to differentiate myself… my curiosity paid off, opening more doors than I imagined.”
- Building Resilience Amid Setbacks: Drawing from rejections and biases, she champions “purposeful action” over perfection. A standout quote: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it’s the SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG.” (citing Mark Twain). She urges trusting instincts and viewing failures as fuel for fulfillment.
- Professional Development for Women: As an advocate for minorities in STEM and law, Bryant calls for mentorship, representation, and allyship. At WIPL, she emphasized collective empowerment: “We need to band together… all boats rise with the tide.” Her advice? Carve your niche boldly—whether through advanced degrees or speaking up—to foster inclusive cultures amid burnout and equity gaps.
Bryant’s empathetic leadership shines through: Known for her “cheerful demeanor” and team-building, she positions cybersecurity not as daunting but as a collaborative frontier where women can lead with empathy and expertise.
Why This Episode Hits Home
In an era of rising cyber threats and legal talent wars, Bryant’s blend of grit and optimism offers a roadmap for resilience—especially resonant for women of color breaking barriers. It’s a nudge to pursue “maverick” paths, from upskilling in AI regs to mentoring the next gen. As WIPL returns to its roots, episodes like this underscore the conference’s role in sparking real change.
Catch the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Law.com. For more WIPL recaps or Bryant’s Maverick Method, just say the word!