Dr. Jeree Spicer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jeree, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
There was a time when I thought leadership meant having more technical depth or a longer resume. I chased certifications, solved complex problems, and let my work speak for me. What I’m being called to now is different. It’s about using my technical foundation as a platform to influence systems, shape product decisions, and build community. That requires public-facing leadership through my podcast, children’s books, speaking, and product strategy, and that used to terrify me. I often worried that I wasn’t polished enough, loud enough, or qualified to represent others.
What changed is simple and powerful: I stopped confusing perfection with contribution. Earning my doctorate and launching ReeTheCyberBoss® taught me that expertise grows when you share it. Leadership, for me, now means translating complex cybersecurity concepts into something people can understand and apply whether that’s helping parents protect their kids online, helping teams build secure products, or mentoring the next generation of diverse leaders.
I’m intentionally stepping into opportunities that once felt out of reach, like leading cross-functional strategy, being vocal about equity in tech, and building a brand that is both educational and accessible. It’s still uncomfortable at times, but that discomfort tells me I’m doing work that truly matters.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Jeree Spicer, but many people know me as Dr. Ree, the founder of ReeTheCyberBoss®. I’m a cybersecurity professional, educator, and creator who is passionate about making cybersecurity more accessible, relatable, and empowering. My journey into this field has been anything but traditional. I started in child development and criminal justice before pivoting into technology, and I bring that unique perspective into everything I do.
ReeTheCyberBoss® was created to bridge the gap between cybersecurity and everyday life. What makes it special is that it’s not just about the technical side of security; it’s about people, culture, confidence, and community. Through my children’s book series, my podcast CTRL+ALT+REE, speaking engagements, and digital content, I help families, professionals, and organizations understand cybersecurity in a way that feels practical and human.
What sets my brand apart is the authenticity behind it. I’ve navigated the challenges of being a Black woman in tech, balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and academia while earning my doctorate. Those lived experiences allow me to connect with audiences in a way that’s real and relatable. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my podcast, publishing new books, and continuing to use my platform to amplify diverse voices and build digital trust with communities that are often overlooked in cybersecurity conversations.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a young woman simply following the gifts God placed in me. I explored many different directions: child development, criminal justice, even social work because I’ve always had a heart for helping people and making a difference. At the time, I thought my career had to fit neatly into one of those paths, but what I didn’t realize was that each step was preparing me for where I am now.
I’ve always loved technology, even from a very young age, but I didn’t see myself in this industry until I leaned into faith and trusted that God had a bigger plan for me. Who I was before titles and expectations was someone curious, creative, and determined to serve others. That part of me hasn’t changed. What’s different now is that I’ve embraced it fully, and I’ve built a platform in cybersecurity where I can bring all of those gifts together.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a season when I truly thought about walking away from it all. I had just become a new mother, I was finishing my doctorate, and at the same time, I was trying to survive in a toxic work environment. The weight of postpartum, academic deadlines, and workplace stress all collided, and I often questioned if it was worth it.
What kept me from giving up was my faith, my son, and the bigger vision I knew God had for me. I reminded myself that every degree earned, every late night spent writing, and every boundary I set in a toxic environment was not just for me, but for the generations coming after me. I realized that quitting would have meant silencing a story that could encourage other women navigating similar challenges.
I made it through that season by giving myself permission to rest, by leaning into my support system, and by remembering that storms don’t last forever. Now when I look back, I see that it was those very challenges that shaped the leader, mother, and woman I am today.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I try to be honest and authentic in public because my story matters. When I talk about faith, fitness, health, academics, or building ReeTheCyberBoss®, I speak from lived experience. Those pieces are true; they are the parts of my life I want others to learn from and lean on.
At the same time I keep boundaries. There are seasons, struggles, and relationships I don’t share because they are sacred or still being worked through. Being public is a choice to steward influence responsibly, not an invitation to be everything for everyone. So yes, the public me is the real me, just curated with care so I can show up sustainably and serve others without sacrificing my family or my faith.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I dimmed for too long was my voice. As a Black woman in cybersecurity, there were times I felt silenced, overlooked, or second-guessed simply because of who I was. I learned to shrink myself in certain rooms, to play it safe, and to overwork just to be taken seriously. But I’ve realized that dimming my light doesn’t serve me, my family, or the communities I’m called to impact.
Now, I know the power of speaking up and owning my perspective. My voice matters not only for advocating in my career but also for building ReeTheCyberBoss® as a platform that empowers others. I’ve stopped apologizing for taking up space, and I’ve given myself permission to dedicate time both to my full-time career and to ReeTheCyberBoss® because both are part of the mission God gave me. My light shines brightest when I stop silencing myself and start standing fully in who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reethecyberboss.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reethecyberboss
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jereespicer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reethecyberboss
- Other: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.jeree
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DuPomIXW4MwEO7mAICRwQ?si=kfYZqtCFRpKKplanRMA6wQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ctrl-alt-ree/id1829172672
Image Credits
Image Credits:
Lxve Media Photography
Q11 Photography
