TheBridge profile: Zinet Kemal
Name: Zinet Kemal
Current city: Blaine, MN
Current job: Associate Cloud Security Engineer, BestBuy
Past job: Senior Information Security Engineer, State of MN
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. Being investigative, attention to detail and relationship building. Bringing my whole self to work. Basic security concepts and understanding of cyber risk as well as knowing that security is a business enabler with every organization.
Q. Job advice in three words? Be Lifelong Learner
Q. How are you (or your company) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? I am learning with my grad school at Georgia Tech University in my program studying MS in Cybersecurity with a policy track that technology and regulation must find a balance. Also, the importance of interacting with technology and identifying in real time, the legal repercussions of new inventions and to effectively regulate technology in a timely manner.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Think outside of the box and the known norm. Be willing to listen to fresh ideas and perspectives with an open mind to promote innovation, as well as foster diversity and inclusion.
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? I love Trevor Noah, such a fan of his show he is really smart. Loved his book Born a Crime. I also love my own #1 bestseller first children's book Proud in Her Hijab: A Story of Family of Strength, Empowerment and Identity. I love it because it's inspired by my own children and written during the pandemic while balancing three kids distance learning support, a baby at home, grad school and working full time. I loved Michelle Obama's podcast.
Q. What's one piece of advice you are still trying to master? Reminding myself that I am where I am because I truly belonged where I am and fighting imposter syndrome that pops up when least expected.
Q. Favorite app? Notes :)
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? You are doing Amazing! keep up the good work. You are capable of doing more than you think you can. The future is bright and full of opportunities.
Q. How often do you work from home? Five days a week. I love it and I was going to say it is the future of workplace culture but we are already in the future :) already getting embraced widely.
Q. Best advice you’ve received? Your perspectives matter, your story is unique, get out there and inspire.
Q. If you had to live in another city, which would it be? Somewhere where there is moderate (fall) weather all year round.
We include leaders spotlights in out bi-weekly updates sent to the community. Sign up to stay up to date with events, people, jobs, info in tech, policy and politics: