Disha Shenoy
Disha is a graduate of Catalyst’s CLIC program. She is a cybersecurity enthusiast with over seven years of experience working in retail, healthcare, and Fintech business verticals. She specializes in fraud prevention, detection, and risk mitigation, identifying and analyzing data patterns to safeguard organizational assets. Currently, she works as a Security Analyst 11 — GRC at Intact.
Alumni Spotlight: Disha Shenoy — From Fraud Prevention to Cybersecurity Leadership
1. What sparked your interest in CLIC?
I was working in transaction and payment fraud when I started feeling a strong pull toward cybersecurity. I had seen firsthand how digital threats were evolving and realized I wanted to move from reactive fraud detection to a more strategic, preventive role in security. When I discovered CLIC, it immediately stood out — not just as a way to deepen my technical understanding, but as a leadership-driven program tailored for people making career pivots.
2. How did receiving a CLIC scholarship impact you and how did it influence your personal path?
The scholarship meant so much more than financial assistance — it was a moment of validation. As someone shifting careers, there’s always some self-doubt. Receiving the scholarship felt like a message: “You belong here. Your past experience has value.” It empowered me to go all in, knowing I had both support and belief behind me.
3. What were you hoping to get out of the program?
I was hoping to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity while also understanding where I fit in the ecosystem. I wasn’t just looking for hard skills — I wanted direction, mentorship, and a sense of belonging in a field that can sometimes feel overwhelming from the outside.
4. Tell us about your most powerful learning experience during CLIC.
There was a session on careers in cybersecurity that really changed everything for me. I realized that my background in fraud analysis aligned perfectly with risk evaluation and compliance. That insight shifted how I saw myself — not as someone starting from scratch, but as someone transitioning with purpose and applicable skills.
5. How did the career mentorship in the program shape and support your growth?
The mentorship was incredibly grounding. My mentor helped me reframe my experience, refine my story, and target roles in GRC that matched my strengths. They provided resume feedback, mock interview support, and — more importantly — reassurance. I walked away with not just a strategy, but a sense of self-assurance that I carried into every job conversation.
6. How did CLIC influence your career trajectory?
CLIC served as a pivotal moment in my career journey. Just four months after completing the program, I landed a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) role in February 2025. It wasn’t just about landing a job — it was about starting a career I’m truly passionate about. CLIC gave me the tools, confidence, and clarity to make that leap.
Emma Parreno
Emma Elena Parreno is a graduate of the Catalyst’s CLIC program. Emma graduated from Seneca College studying Informatics and Security, Cybersecurity and currently works in the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada in a co-op role for the Technology Risk Division/Risk Support Sector. Prior to this, she held a position as Information Technology Systems Technologist at Seneca College.
1. What sparked your interest in CLIC?
My interest was initially sparked by the learning opportunities, particularly the convenience and support CLIC provided for learning with SANS.
2. How did receiving a CLIC scholarship impact you and how did it influence your personal path?
It reinforced my understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals and theories. It also provided me with clarity in developing a more well-rounded grasp of the field.
3. What were you hoping to get out of the program?
Through this program, I aimed to gain a well-rounded understanding of cybersecurity and develop the skills to confidently demonstrate my capabilities to employers.
4. Tell us about your most powerful learning experience during CLIC.
A powerful experience during CLIC was completing the final GSEC exam. The volume of material I had to learn during that time had me doubting myself and I often second-guessed whether I could succeed. However, the support I gained from my mentors and peers at CLIC helped me to persevere, and I felt an immense sense of relief and accomplishment when I passed the exam.
5. How did the career mentorship in the program shape and support your growth?
The career mentorship helped me improve my overall learning and helped me to fully understand the topics we needed to study in a short time.
6. How did CLIC influence your career trajectory?
CLIC significantly influenced my career direction by deepening my understanding of cybersecurity and helping me to clarify my professional focus. During this, I could see more clearly where I wanted to pursue my career path and where I could apply my skills in cybersecurity.
