10 Best Inspiring Leaders to Watch 2025
Cio Bulletin
In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, where challenges evolve constantly, leadership goes beyond expertise—it’s about trust, responsibility, and a commitment to doing what’s right. At the forefront of this critical intersection is Stephen D. Pullum, Founder of AfricurityAI. With over 40 years of experience, Stephen has exemplified these values throughout his career. A veteran of both the U.S. military and the tech industry, his journey began humbly in 1982 with a Commodore64. From those early days, he rose to serve in pivotal roles, safeguarding Department of Defense systems and leading cybersecurity teams for Fortune 500 companies.
AfricurityAI, under Stephen’s leadership, is built on a foundation of ethics, empathy, and experience. The company’s philosophy, “If it doesn’t help, it hurts,” underscores its mission to create technology that protects and empowers. With real-world experience spanning decades—when security meant more than just data and often involved lives on the line—AfricurityAI stands out as a company that prioritizes people over profit.
Stephen’s leadership is rooted in action. With certifications from the NSA, ISC2, and SANS, among others, he has always stayed ahead of the curve, balancing technical expertise with a deep understanding of human needs. He leads with humility, drawing from lessons learned in environments where the stakes were high, and the outcomes mattered deeply. With AfricurityAI as a force multiplier in cybersecurity, Stephen D. Pullum leads with humility, purpose, and an unrelenting focus on securing a better, more equitable digital future for all.
At CIO Bulletin, we had the privilege of interviewing Stephen D. Pullum, Founder of AfricurityAI. He shared inspiring insights into his early journey, the purpose behind starting the company, the challenges he overcame, and his unwavering dedication to delivering real-world solutions.
Interview Highlights
Mr. Stephen D. Pullum, you’ve been a trailblazer in the cybersecurity field for over four decades. What inspired you to dive into both cybersecurity and AI, and how has your journey shaped your leadership approach today?
I do not consider myself a “trailblazer” in the sense that I purposely set out to “create.” In 1982, my mother gave me a Commodore64, and by 1984, I was in the United States Air Force working behind mainframes in Top Secret environments, learning about different types of “security,” mainly from a set of directives called the Rainbow Books. I completed 10 years of active duty and 17 years in the Reserves. The combination of having to learn emerging technology from 1982 until the present as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the military, as well as holding Team Lead/Executive positions in the private sector, simultaneously shaped my leadership approach to a “team-centric” point of view.
From combat military environments to the Pentagon, your leadership spans diverse, high-stakes settings. How do these intense experiences inform your decisions in a corporate environment?
I view cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence from an “adversarial” standpoint always. That does not mean in a negative connotation. I have had to make hard decisions that impacted lives and mission effectiveness downrange. But at the same time, I have had to understand the function of cybersecurity as it relates to the Business Unit and sales team, as it relates to corporate values and identity. Being “adversarial” means being aware, ethical, having empathy, integrity, truth, respect, and accountability. I realize that the creation of tools, especially AI, is to “Replace with Repercussions.” Leadership is about wading through the murky waters that come with new technologies so that all are represented as fairly as “business” allows. The ROI of AI will mean “Replace Obsolete Individuals.”
You mentioned that AfricurityAI is always “one step ahead.” How does this forward-thinking approach shape the services you provide, and what’s next for AfricurityAI in terms of innovation and expansion?
AfricurityAI closely follows "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," a quote most attributed to philosopher George Santayana. Having been around in the technology field since 1982, trending data is critical to future planning. AfricurityAI first dove into Metaverse Security, Emerging Tech, and all the way to FinTech. Certifying in Blockchain, Bitcoin, AI and AI Agents, LLMs, GRC, and so many more lanes to facilitate literacy from a “certified competence” standpoint. We are not in the business of “talk” without foundational education and certification.
With over 100 certifications and vast real-world experience, you’ve seen the evolution of cybersecurity firsthand. How do you stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving digital landscape, and how do you lead your team to do the same?
Innovation and imagination. Hackers are creative. Hackers do not certify. AI is going to greatly enhance hacker capabilities. Dependence on IoT devices, as bandwidth increases from 5G to 6G, is going to be astounding. Virtual environments powered by Quantum AI are in the near future and as simple as wearing a pair of glasses. I advise and mentor on the premise to “imagine.” Then INNOVATE!!
AfricurityAI has an extraordinary blend of ethical, empathetic leadership with decades of experience. How do you balance cutting-edge technology with the human element of cybersecurity, and why is this balance so important?
AfricurityAI places the human element at the forefront of everything we do. Our guiding principle is “People over Profit.” As a company, we are part of numerous organizations that champion the human element in technology, including:
At AfricurityAI, we firmly believe in addressing the AI representations of underrepresented and marginalized populations, irrespective of race, color, or creed. We understand that balance keeps us grounded.
I come from a small town in East Texas, with a population of just 2,000 people. As a 100% Disabled Veteran, I personally know how certain demographics can be misunderstood, misrepresented, or left out of the “algorithm” altogether.
The concept of ‘security starts here’ is powerful. How do you ensure your leadership fosters a culture of integrity and purpose in an industry where trust is paramount?
When I created “Security Starts Here,” I had my own relatives in mind. They had experienced phishing exploits that took thousands of dollars from them. In 2021, I realized that security starts with individual education, and as a security practitioner, I had a responsibility to share the knowledge I could impart to those at-risk populations. COVID brought the world inside and remote. Hackers were already there waiting. As a leader, situational awareness in both your corporate and personal life is almost paramount. As a leader, I have found that “awareness” includes your mission and those tasked with mission completion besides yourself—mainly, your people. Integrity is defined by consistent, earnest actions.
Every leader is shaped by mentors, role models, or pivotal moments. Is there a book, quote, or person who has profoundly influenced your leadership philosophy?
“Retreat, hell! We just got here!” is a quote attributed to Captain Lloyd W. Williams of the United States Marine Corps. Williams said this during World War I when a French officer advised him to retreat from the French trenches.
I have often found myself hired as a “heavy” in situations. I earned my CISSP in 2002, so I was very astute in cybersecurity and AI decades before they became “fashionable.” I tested on experience versus training. So, when I would be brought into situations, most of them were “mission impossible!!” But, I would never lose confidence that I was providing the absolute best engagement to a solution that was available on Planet Earth. So, “Retreat, hell!! Stephen Pullum just got here!!”
What’s your secret to staying motivated, even when the going gets tough? Can you share a story when you had to dig deep to push forward?
My motivation is that I turned a hobby in the 1980s into a career, then retired from that career and went back to my hobby. There isn’t anything tough about it. Tough is providing secure data and communications downrange under constant mortar fire. Remembering how tough it gets, you shrug your shoulders and say to yourself, “this too shall pass!!”
Meet Stephen D. Pullum: A Stalwart Leader Who Believes in the Good of People
Stephen D. Pullum, the Founder of AfricurityAI, believes in the goodness of people and has always been optimistic about the future. He’s highly skilled yet humble and empathetic, always focused on helping others. While he’s cautious about AI and the impact of social media, he believes that a few individuals can make a real difference.Mr. Pullum understands how civilizations can decline, but he has faith that there will always be people who rise above to lead with integrity and hope. His leadership is built on the idea that, through honesty and care for others, a better future is possible.
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