Sanji Sunak

About Sanji Sunak

Passionate leader with over three decades of experience leading teams and projects to success across global organizations like Ricoh, AT & T, SBC Datacom, Pacific Bell, and Entex Information Systems. I thrive in driving teams towards common goals and empowering them with the tools and knowledge to excel. My expertise spans risk management, and cybersecurity operations, where I have focused on proactive risk mitigation, and cross-functional collaboration. Throughout my career, I\'ve led both technical and business teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope, while balancing risk management and business continuity. I have a strong track record in developing processes and leading strategic initiatives that drive organizational success, improving operational efficiency and safeguarding stakeholder confidence. By bridging the gap between business needs and technical execution, I’ve been able to lead large-scale projects that align with organizational objectives and risk management goals. A key strength of mine is my ability to take ownership of complex projects, from initial planning through to execution. I thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, where I’m accountable for driving outcomes, navigating obstacles, and delivering results. Often taking over failing projects and pivoting them to success. My leadership experience extends beyond traditional IT management, including the management of M&A integrations, vendor relationships, and training development for engineers and leadership teams. With a focus on risk mitigation, I ensure that organizations maintain compliance and resilience, especially when addressing cybersecurity risks and breaches. Core Competencies: Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration Leadership & Strategic Planning Cybersecurity Operations & Risk Management Incident Response & Business Continuity Team Development & Mentorship Process Optimization & Operational Efficiency Stakeholder & Vendor Management M&A Integration & IT Transitions Public Speaking Strong Presentation Skills Excellent translator between technical staff and non-technical

Experience

1. Cybersecurity Education IT Specialist Coach & Mentor

   Afa Cyberpatriot

   Aug 2023 — Present · Orange County, CA, US

   Mentoring students in cybersecurity fundamentals, risk awareness, and system hardening through hands-on training and competitions. Introducing security principles that align with risk management, regulatory compliance, and governance best practices. Preparing students to analyze security risks, evaluate mitigation strategies, and develop structured approaches to cyber defense. Focused on inspiring cybersecurity interest and resilience in future security leaders.

Education

• Dakota State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Minor: Cyber Operations

• Irvine Valley College

  Associate's degree, Information Technology

• Dakota State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Cyber Leadership & Intelligence: Digital Forensics

• Irvine Valley College

  Cyber Security

• Dakota State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Cyber Leadership & Intelligence: World Affairs and Human Behavior