Profile: Tara Fardellone, Director of GRC, Lionbridge

Tara’s journey into cybersecurity was anything but traditional. She earned her degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science from Cornell, but her curiosity in technology grew as she taught herself HTML, built websites, and even launched a side business in web development. That hands-on work eventually exposed her to cybersecurity, especially after experiencing her first hack.
Later, while working in marketing operations at Lionbridge, Tara’s passion for technology merged with opportunity. She transitioned into the Trust Team under the CISO’s mentorship, who encouraged her to lean into her curiosity and willingness to learn, exposing the art of the possible to her. That shift solidified her career in governance, risk, and compliance. 

Expansive Responsibilities in GRC

As Director of Governance, Risk, and Compliance, Tara wears many hats. She oversees policies, training, and awareness campaigns, while also managing audits, internal controls, and third-party risk.
Her role extends beyond compliance. She also oversees application security, penetration testing, and contributes to incident response strategy.

What excites Tara most is the variety of her work. Each day brings new challenges, from customer-facing conversations about data protection to supporting threat hunts with her team. For her, the heart of the role is not just compliance, but building trust and meaningful relationships with customers.

Supply Chain Risk: A Top Priority

Tara sees supply chain risk as one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity. Lionbridge often operates deep within the supply chains of some of the world’s largest companies, making visibility and accountability critical in Lionbridge’s supply chain, as well.
She explains, “We can’t protect what we can’t see.” Her focus is on holding third parties to the same high standards that Lionbridge commits to, ensuring resilience across the broader ecosystem.

Embracing AI with Transparency and Innovation

Artificial intelligence has become a defining focus in Tara’s current role. She is deeply engaged in shaping how AI is applied within her work, ensuring that it is used responsibly and with a clear sense of accountability. For Tara, this isn’t just about embracing new technology, it’s about building trust. She has made it a priority to put transparency and compliance at the center of every AI initiative she leads.

One of her earliest steps was introducing a “transparency commitment” designed to document Lionbridge’s ethical adoption of AI tools. This included close collaboration with her colleagues who performed formal risk assessments, created careful documentation, and developed practical guidelines that Lionbridge employees could follow. Tara believes these guardrails are essential, not only to protect customers but also to give her team the confidence to experiment and innovate with AI in a safe, thoughtful way.

Beyond policy, Tara has been vocal about reframing how AI is perceived in the workplace. While some view it as a potential disruptor to jobs, she takes a different stance. In her eyes, AI is not a replacement for human talent but a powerful complement. She sees it as a way to remove the repetitive, time-consuming tasks that often get in the way of deeper, more strategic work.
This philosophy has shaped how Tara leads her team. By encouraging the safe use of AI to handle routine functions, teammates are able to focus on the kinds of work that demand creativity, judgment, and critical thinking. For Tara, this balance is key: “It frees us up to do the things we love to do and allows AI to take care of tasks requiring less critical thinking,” she explains.

In every aspect of her approach, Tara positions AI as an enabler rather than a threat. Her perspective reflects both optimism and practicality, acknowledging the challenges that come with new technology while showing how it can elevate the human side of work. By centering her efforts on transparency, accountability, and empowerment, Tara is setting a standard for how AI can be integrated thoughtfully and effectively.

A Woman in Cybersecurity

Tara is no stranger to male-dominated industries. In her meteorology program, she was one of only two women in her graduating class. That experience shaped her confidence and independence while teaching her that anything is possible for any person, regardless of gender, limiting beliefs, or lack of experience.

She acknowledges others may face barriers, but her approach has been to let her work and expertise speak for themselves. At Lionbridge, she has found a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion, repeatedly earning recognition as one of the best places for women to work.

For Tara, gender has never been the defining factor. Success has always been about the quality of the work, the value delivered, and the courage to try. 

Leadership with Empathy and Ownership

Tara’s leadership philosophy blends empathy, accountability, and curiosity. She adapts her style to meet team members where they are, while uniting them under a shared vision. Her approach is grounded in the belief that people do their best work when they feel both supported and challenged.

She adopted a core part of her philosophy from a book written by two Navy SEALs; Jocko Willinik and Leif Babin called, “Extreme Ownership.” When things go well, she is quick to highlight her team’s contributions and celebrate their success. But when challenges arise, Tara takes personal responsibility. “If something doesn’t go as planned, that’s on me,” she explains. “It’s my job to learn from it and clear the path so my team can move forward.” This mindset has created a culture of trust, where people know they are safe to take risks and innovate.

Equally important to Tara is curiosity. She doesn’t expect her team to arrive with all the answers, but she does expect them to stay open, adaptable, and eager to learn. She reinforces this by asking thoughtful questions, encouraging debate, and showing genuine interest in new ideas. “Curiosity is how we grow,” Tara says. “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being willing to ask, to try, and to stretch.”

Her leadership is also hands-on. Tara never asks her team to do work she hasn’t done herself, and she isn’t afraid to dive into details alongside them. This creates a sense of partnership rather than hierarchy. Her team knows she is not only their leader but also their collaborator, invested in both the work and their personal growth.

For Tara, leadership is ultimately about creating a safe and motivating environment full of opportunity. She strives to make sure every person feels valued and supported, while still being pushed to achieve their best. By combining empathy with accountability and curiosity, she has built a leadership style that inspires loyalty, confidence, and continuous improvement.