Erica Wilson
Erica Wilson
Meet Erica Wilson, CISSP, CISM! Erica is VP of Global Security and Privacy Risk Management for RGA and is participating in our virtual panel discussion with women leaders in science on September 13, 2021. The panel discussion connects to our production of Digging Up Dessa, which tells the story of a young scientist struggling to process her grief and anger at the changes in her world and the comfort she discovers in a remarkable new friend, one only she can see and hear—Mary Anning. Mary was a 19th-century paleontologist who discovered a breakthrough dinosaur fossil at the age of 12 and became a pioneer in her field.
We asked Erica about her career and words of advice for young people.
What do you do in your job?
I am responsible for leading the global security and privacy risk function for Reinsurance Group of America (RGA). Essentially, I am a part of an amazing team that are are advocates for protecting our company’s information assets.
What is fun and exciting about your work?
The most exciting aspect about my work, is that no two days are the same. There are always new challenges and opportunities to learn. I consider myself a lifelong learner, and my work really lends itself well to that mindset.
What are you particularly proud of in your career?
I am very proud of many things, but most proud of my derived passion to drive representation for more women pursuing careers in STEM.
Have you faced challenges as a woman in your career?
Originally, I perceived one challenge for myself was being a minority woman in a male dominated field. It was not until many years later that I saw this as an opportunity. It became an opportunity for me to share a unique perspective, to reach back and identify ways to get more representation in this field, and ultimately a way for me to use my experiences to mentor others.
What advice would you give your 12-year-old self about your career?
The advice I would give to my 12 year old self would be to “ALWAYS show up with confidence, you never know who you are inspiring.”
Is this what you wanted to be when you grew up?
I originally wanted to be a math teacher. It was not until my senior year in high school that I was introduced to coding and where I saw working with computers and technology as a potential career path.
Erica Wilson has more than twenty years of IT experience. She has worked in various industries including manufacturing, higher education, financial services and most recently reinsurance. She has served in all capacities of security, including the role of Chief Information Security Officer. Erica is currently the VP of Global Security and Privacy Risk Management for RGA. In this role, she serves as a key advisor for the organization regarding technology risks and leads a dynamic team of professionals that ensure security and privacy issues are effectively addressed and managed.