Meet TC, our Head of Information Security! Read more to learn about his time at Nextdoor.
Why did you join Nextdoor?
I was drawn to Nextdoor’s purpose of cultivating a kinder world where everyone has a neighbor they can rely on. Nextdoor’s leadership and the entire team really impressed me with their core values of trust and investment in community. Nextdoor made it clear that security was valued for their growing user community and I felt it was an organization where I could have a big impact and meaningful purpose.
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
I’ve really enjoyed building out our cloud security tooling and hiring a team of cloud security engineers. We are 100% AWS cloud native without a legacy or multi cloud environment. We’ve been able to evaluate and experiment with the latest tools and adjust as our needs change, such as migrating to Kubernetes. I’ve been able to use this opportunity to network and contribute to industry groups such as the non-profit Cloud Security Forum.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like to stay involved with diversity and inclusion focused non-profits such as Cyversity where I’m a mentor and WiCys (Women in Cybersecurity) where I was recently recognized as an ally. I have two young kids, Vicky (3 years) and Danny (1 year), so an enjoyable weekend can be as simple as playing duplos or musical instruments in the house or taking them to a neighborhood park or library.
Most memorable moment at Nextdoor?
I remember contributing to a memo for cybersecurity and remote work shortly after I joined Nextdoor in February 2020. Very quickly, we moved to remote work in response to COVID-19, prioritizing health and safety. I’m continually impressed by our leadership team acting with empathy and purpose while navigating global challenges.
Best career advice?
Think of where you want to be in the next 3 to 5 years and start making plans now. Whether that means finding a mentor, developing skills, or looking for new projects. Stay connected with your peers and colleagues as they can be a source of inspiration and advice throughout your career.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
I love the Bay Area! Recently my wife and I moved to Berkeley. The East Bay is a great combination of access to Silicon Valley with nearby family events and hiking.
What is your favorite way to give back to your local community?
Donating and volunteering at local nonprofits such as the Berkeley Women’s Daytime Drop in Center and Alameda County Food Bank.
