Dr. Yvonne Bernard ─ Motivated technology leader with a deep IT background and a PhD in all things computer science…
June 7, 2022 • 3 Minute Read
Dr. Yvonne Bernard
Chief Technology Officer
Hornetsecurity
Are you looking for a motivated technology leader with a deep IT background and a PhD in all things computer science? We know the person—Dr. Yvonne Bernard!
Dr. Yvonne Bernard is the Chief Technology Officer at Hornetsecurity, the Cloud Security, Compliance, and Backup Pioneer based in Hannover, Germany. She is responsible for driving the strategic and technical development for product management, software development, innovation and research, security lab, and cloud infrastructure. A motivated leader with a PhD in Computer Science, she has published more than 20 scientific papers focusing on system architecture, security, cloud, AI, and machine learning topics. Dr. Bernard started at Hornetsecurity as a personal assistant for two years before launching herself into the position of Head of Product Management.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Dr. Yvonne Bernard!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I won a Best Paper award at a conference in Italy as a researcher.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
I do not travel too much and I often travel by train, so that number would not impress you: maybe 12 flights per year, and of those, 1 to 2 intercontinental flights.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
In Hannover, Germany it’s considered normal daily food but when I have guests here, I like for them to try raw pork mince sandwiches.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
As a personal assistant to our CEO, I learned a lot about business and leadership in general – an opportunity I am very grateful for, and I hope I am now repaying that investment in myself as a person and leader.
A few years later, I recommended a core member from my team for a position that was at the same level as mine – and he did not disappoint me.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
My PhD supervisor used to be a very successful manager before he became a professor – he taught me so much about management, but he was also an outstanding keynote speaker and helped me to take my presentation skills to a whole new level.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Relax and trust yourself.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I love to talk about what I do and try to inspire by example or direct mentoring. I always have an open door for juniors.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
The Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection suites, a security product for Microsoft 365, which went live in 2018 and still has the most outstanding, simple onboarding on the market.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
With company growth comes internationalization, so there is always something to keep up with in order to get an understanding of both new colleagues and markets. A lot of it has to do with communication and culture – and you never stop learning.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Over the last few years, Hornetsecurity has been in a hypergrowth phase – hiring many people with the right mindset and skills, transferring knowledge and building new structures is a challenge, but also rewarding and a lot of fun.
