Career Spotlight: Leah Fitzgerald

Tell us about yourself – your name, company, title, and responsibilities?

My name is Leah Fitzgerald. I’m a business continuity analyst at Sherwin-Williams, based in Cleveland, Ohio. My role includes facilitating BIAs and BCPs, developing and maintaining continuity and recovery strategies, facilitating exercises, and partnering closely with operational and IT teams.

How did you get into the business resilience industry?

I was apart of an IT rotational development program. My second rotation wasn’t the right fit. Through our Women in IT ERG, a peer introduced me to the new director of business continuity. I began shadowing him and was hired as an analyst about six months later. Once I got hands-on experience, I realized this was work I genuinely enjoyed and felt very natural doing.

Tell us about some of the challenges you have encountered in your career?

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the gap between what we know needs to be done and what leadership is willing to support at a given time. Early on, we had funding and momentum, which allowed us to travel to manufacturing sites and conduct in-person tabletops. That level of engagement was incredibly effective. When priorities shifted and resources were suddenly limited, it became much harder to determine what to focus on. Remote tabletops, while sometimes necessary, can feel awkward and far less productive, especially in manufacturing plant environments.

Have you had any mentors? Describe the effect they have had on your career.

Absolutely. I’ve been fortunate to have two mentors who have played a huge role in my development. They’ve helped me connect the dots with translating theory into practice. And sharing lessons learned from their own experiences. Whether it’s advice from prior roles or help thinking through a difficult situation, their guidance has been invaluable.

What are some lessons learned you still leverage today?

Just how different every business is. What works well in one environment may need to be completely rethought in another. Keeping an open mind when engaging with new teams or business units has helped me build stronger relationships and get better outcomes.

What aspects of working in this industry would you like to see change or evolve?

I’d like to see better integration between business continuity, crisis management, cyber resilience, and enterprise risk. Disruptions don’t respect organizational boundaries, but programs often do. Breaking down silos would make everyone’s job easier and improve outcomes overall. I’d also like to see companies value BC & DR more consistently, rather than only when there’s an audit finding or it becomes the “flavor of the week.” Too often, BC & DR are among the first to lose support when priorities shift.

What types of formal training and certifications have you pursued, and what kinds of learning and networking opportunities are you seeking to continue your professional development?

I’ve earned both the ABCP and CBCP certifications, which gave me a strong foundation in continuity principles and industry standards. I am also a proud member of the DRJ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, where I help support more inclusive and accessible learning and networking opportunities across the resilience community. This has reinforced how important diverse perspectives and are as the profession continues to change.

What gets you excited about your career?

Bringing the right people together. That part of the work feels very natural to me. When collaboration works, everything else becomes easier. I am also excited to have found a career that genuinely fits how I think and work, and where I can add value in a way that feels authentic.

What advice would you give to those embarking on a career in this industry?

Find mentors you trust. Having someone to talk things through with makes the work far more manageable. I’d also encourage pursuing certifications early on. They help build foundational understanding and help open the door to other opportunities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul Striedl

This career spotlight was facilitated by Paul Striedl, CBCP, MBCI, the senior resiliency risk officer at KeyBank. Striedl has worked in organizational resilience since 1997. He is the chair of the DRJ Editorial Advisory Board and president of the MidAmerica Contingency Planning Forum (MCPF).