Diana Dragon was working in finance in New York on September 11, 2001 when she witnessed the planes hit the towers. In the aftermath, she realized she couldn’t just stand by and wanted to be part of the solution.

“I felt a responsibility to use whatever gifts I had to help protect people, to contribute in a meaningful way, and to help build systems that keep people safe, not just in moments of crisis, but every day,” she says.

Dragon joined the CIA to serve as an Operations Officer and was appointed twice to Chief of Station. Here, Dragon was able to hone her leadership skills under pressure and sharpen her risk intelligence skills. Leading multi-agency teams taught Dragon how to “navigate uncertainty with agility” while managing high-consequence decisions.

“It was at the Agency where I first truly understood the power of diverse teams,” she says. “Success in the field depended on building inclusive, cross-functional units where every voice had value regardless of background, discipline, or rank. Just as critical was cultivating psychological safety: creating a space where people could speak truthfully, challenge assumptions, and innovate under pressure. That foundation of trust was essential to overcoming some of the hardest missions we faced, and it remains core to how I lead today.”

Integrating Security into the Corporate World

Dragon moved from the public sector to work for BP, leading intelligence efforts to support market entry and acquisitions. This role blended Dragon’s intelligence expertise with her finance background to illustrate security’s role within a business setting. From here, Dragon moved to work for Standard Industries as head of intelligence and security.

When security professionals are embedded early in strategic conversations, they bring insights that prevent problems before they arise, and often uncover opportunities that others miss.

“I built an intelligence team that viewed risk not only through the lens of mitigation, but as a potential opportunity, using intelligence to identify upside opportunities,” Dragon says.

Dragon currently serves as the Head of Global Crisis Resources at eBay. Dragon’s role includes leading crisis management strategies, investigations, security governance and global incident response. eBay’s global reach means Dragon spends part of her day reviewing international news that may affect the company’s operations or employees. When not responding to an active threat, Dragon spends her days building strategies for any anticipated risks and connecting with her team members.

“Building relationships and trust before a crisis is critical and the last thing you want is to be introducing yourself to key stakeholders in the middle of a high-pressure situation,” Dragon says.

One of her current projects is integrating AI and data analytics into eBay’s risk management to increase efficiency and situational awareness.

Paying It Forward

“When security professionals are embedded early in strategic conversations, they bring insights that prevent problems before they arise, and often uncover opportunities that others miss. That’s why I believe security should be seen not just as a protector, but as a strategic enabler within any modern organization,” Dragon says.

She challenges the traditional “gates and guards” perception of the industry and highlights the importance of integrated security fully into an organization.

Outside of work, Dragon works hard to pay forward the mentorship she received during her career. Dragon serves on the board of GirlSecurity and advises Nestre Health & Performance. She advises security leaders to be creative and open to change, especially in a world and industry that’s always changing.

“Sometimes the most impactful ideas come not from doing more, but from looking at what you already do through a wider, more strategic lens,” Dragon says. “That mindset is what keeps your team and your influence relevant and growing.”