When Michael Lashlee first enlisted with the United States Marine Corps Reserve, he was attending Texas Tech University and wouldn’t have guessed where his career would lead. His journey in public service began when he joined the Department of Defense as an investigator in 1987.

“I was drawn to the mission of protecting individuals, institutions and the values they represent,” he says. “I have always believed that if you have the ability, you should serve something greater than yourself and that sense of purpose and service has been a constant throughout my career. At its core, security is about safeguarding what matters most — and that mission continues to motivate me every day.”

Now, with a career that spans more than three decades, Lashlee shares lessons learned and how his professional experiences have grown.

“Security is a constantly evolving discipline,” he says. “The dynamic nature of threats — physical, cyber, and geopolitical — means no two days are ever the same. It demands a proactive mindset, continuous learning and the ability to adapt quickly. I’m especially energized by how innovation, intelligence, and technology can come together to stay ahead of emerging risks and protect global ecosystems. But at its core, it’s still about the people.”

During his time with the U.S. Secret Service, Lashlee protected multiple U.S. presidents, led tactical and technical security operations at the White House, and served as an attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Paris, overseeing international investigations and protective missions. He’s worked in more than 100 countries and brings more than 28 years of experience in law enforcement, national security, and crisis management to his current role as Chief Security Officer at Mastercard. There Lashlee leads global corporate security, helping to safeguard the company’s people, assets and reputation worldwide.

Making a Change

After spending more than 25 years with the Secret Service, Lashlee made the move to corporate security in 2016 when he joined as Deputy Chief Security Officer — Senior Vice President at Mastercard.

Lashlee says one of the biggest challenges he experienced switching from public to private security, was shifting from a mission-driven culture to a business-driven one.

I’m where I am today because I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I strongly believe in paying it forward. A good mentor listens, provides honest feedback, and helps you see opportunities beyond your current path.

“I had to learn how to align security with commercial priorities and navigate corporate governance structures,” he says.

Reflecting on his career, Lashlee says one of the most important lessons he’s learned has been the value of humility and continuous learning.

“Transitioning from public service to the corporate world required me to quickly understand business drivers and adapt my leadership style,” he adds. “I had to learn to ‘speak the language of business’ while staying true to the core principles of security.”

When offering advice to those also looking to make the change from public to private security, Lashlee highlights the importance of building your business acumen.

“Learn to communicate risk in terms of ROI and impact,” he says. “Don’t underestimate the value of mentorship and networking. I often tell mentees, ‘The thing that got you here won’t get you there.’ Your public sector experience got you the opportunity — but you need to learn how to leverage those skills to support your company’s business priorities.”

Support Structure

A key part of a successful security career is supporting those around you. Lashlee comments that some of his proudest moments have been team wins.

“Whether it was safely taking President Obama on a surprise visit to Afghanistan, coordinating Mastercard’s response during the COVID pandemic, or ensuring the safety of our employees in Ukraine during the Russian invasion — leading talented teams to accomplish difficult things is always rewarding,” he says.

Mentorship plays a critical role in shaping a successful security career, Lashlee credits his professional growth and career to the incredible leaders — from the NCOs in the Marine Corps to shift leaders and Special Agents in Charge at the Secret Service, to executives at Mastercard — that he’s been fortunate to work with.

“Observing and learning from these inspirational leaders has shaped who I am today,” he says. “I’m where I am today because I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I strongly believe in paying it forward. A good mentor listens, provides honest feedback, and helps you see opportunities beyond your current path. In security, mentorship is especially vital because so much of the profession is shaped by experience, judgment and context. Mentorship accelerates development, fosters resilience, and builds a strong culture of trust. A good mentor doesn’t have all the answers — they help others find their own.”

When it comes to having a lasting security career, Lashlee says the most effective security professionals are problem solvers.

“Success in this field requires curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning,” he adds. “Strong communication, strategic thinking and integrity are essential. Collaboration is also key — security depends on trusted relationships across internal teams and with external partners. Public-private partnerships, in particular, are vital for fostering trust, sharing intelligence, and protecting the broader ecosystem.”

Reflecting on the evolving role of security in today’s business environment, Lashlee emphasizes its growing importance at the executive level.

“Security is no longer just a support function — it’s a strategic enabler,” he says. “I’m excited about the future of the field and the opportunity to shape it through innovation, leadership and collaboration.”