“A defining moment in my career was attending the 2019 WiCyS conference, where I reconnected with a former classmate, setting me on the path to a successful cybersecurity career at Adobe. Saying yes to unexpected opportunities and trusting the power of connections transformed my path from creative storyteller to cybersecurity leader. The WiCyS conference was the catalyst that reminded me: growth begins when you believe in yourself and stay open to the possibilities around you.”
—Melissa Burns, Principal Security Partner, Adobe
Melissa Burns never followed a set script for her career, and that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling. Starting out in the creative space and now thriving as a Principal Security Partner at Adobe, she has navigated bold career shifts, found new passions and built lasting connections. Today, she’s proud to share her journey into cybersecurity and celebrate the important role that WiCyS (Women in CyberSecurity) played in her success.
Before stepping into cybersecurity, Melissa launched her career in the creative industry, earning a journalism degree from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. She spent her early years working in media production and videography, where she developed a passion for Adobe products and the art of storytelling. However, over time, she found herself craving a career path that offered greater long-term growth and a deeper technical challenge.
Melissa’s first steps into the tech world were modest yet meaningful: managing online book sales for her local library and teaching computer skills to seniors. These early experiences ignited a new sense of purpose and planted the first seeds of a future that would ultimately lead her beyond the creative space and into the world of technology.
Taking a bold leap, Melissa joined the U.S. Peace Corps, an experience she calls transformative. As an IT education volunteer in the island nation of Vanuatu, she was tasked with restoring a high school’s computer lab, pushing her far beyond her comfort zone and into a space where her problem-solving skills flourished. Over three years, she became the go-to person for fixing computers and managing systems, expanding the lab from nine working machines to twenty-two. “Oftentimes, you would hear me saying, ‘Yes, mi save blong fixim kompiuta blong yu,’” she recalled, which translates to “Yes, I can fix your computer.” Her work soon extended into the wider community as she tackled malware issues and taught herself how to implement technical controls, laying the foundation for a deep passion for cybersecurity and setting her on a new career path in cyber defense.
When she returned to the U.S., Melissa was determined to break into the cybersecurity field. A simple Facebook post searching for an IT job led to a role as an IT Specialist at Taco Bell—an unexpected but important stepping stone. Seeking deeper expertise, she enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious Master of Information Systems Management program, with a specialization in Information Security.
During her studies, Melissa secured two key internships: one developing a cybersecurity training program for the South Australian government, and another with Carnegie Mellon’s CERT division, where she contributed to federal IT and security projects. After graduating, she continued at CERT as a Cybersecurity Engineer, gaining critical experience in the industry.
Throughout her journey, networking consistently opened new doors, and WiCyS played a crucial role. Introduced to the organization through her connections at CERT, Melissa found mentorship, support and inspiration through WiCyS’s mission of recruiting, retaining and advancing women in cybersecurity.
A pivotal moment in Melissa’s journey came at the 2019 WiCyS conference, where she learned the power of saying yes to opportunities and trusting herself to build something meaningful from scratch. During the conference, she reconnected with a former Carnegie Mellon classmate working at Adobe, who later referred her for a job opening on their team. After a successful interview, Melissa moved from Pittsburgh to Seattle to join Adobe.
Her journey from creative to cybersecurity eventually brought her back to Adobe—not as a customer, but as a member of the company’s security team. Having used Adobe products in her creative work, Melissa was now tasked with protecting them. Starting as an Information Security Analyst, she quickly advanced through roles such as Manager of Information Security, Senior Cloud Security Engineer (Risk Management) and Product and Software Security Manager (Strategic Remediation).
Now, as a Principal Security Partner and Cloud Lead for the Adobe products that fall under the Digital Media business unit, Melissa helps align the company’s security initiatives with its business goals. She works closely with fellow Security Partners and product leaders to prioritize security while fostering cross-team collaboration. Her dynamic role blends technical expertise with strong communication skills.
Reflecting on her journey, Melissa has learned key lessons that have shaped her approach to challenges and opportunities. First, networking is essential. From landing her first IT job through a Facebook post to reconnecting with a classmate at WiCyS who introduced her to Adobe, she’s seen how valuable strong connections can be. “Networking isn’t just about meeting people—it’s about sharing your goals and staying open to collaboration. You never know who might hold the key to your next opportunity,” she says.
Many of Melissa’s most rewarding experiences came from unexpected opportunities, like her leap into the Peace Corps and her transition into cybersecurity—both turning points in her career. She also highlights the importance of continuous learning. Whether through her master’s program or new challenges at Adobe, Melissa believes staying relevant in tech requires constant growth. “The willingness to keep learning has been critical to navigating each stage in my career,” she shares.
Melissa Burns’s journey into cybersecurity may not have been scripted, but it’s one of growth, resilience and transformation. From her creative roots to her Peace Corps experience and later roles at Adobe, Melissa’s story demonstrates that with perseverance, meaningful connections and a readiness to embrace the unexpected, anyone can carve out a successful career in cybersecurity.
To hear more about Melissa’s story, watch her WiCyS BrightTalk Webinar “From Creative User to Security Pro: My Unscripted Journey into Cybersecurity.”
Learn about all of our WiCyS Stories and submit your own HERE