WOMEN IN TECH BLOG SERIES
WINNING THE LONG GAME: GROWTH THROUGH EVERY PIVOT
Written By: Casey Kelley, Federal Partner Manager, BeyondTrust
Casey Kelley serves as Federal Partner Manager at BeyondTrust, where she advances secure, mission-enabling technology partnerships in support of the U.S. Federal Government. With more than a decade of experience delivering mission-critical solutions across Civilian, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community entities, she aligns industry capabilities to Federal priorities including Zero Trust implementation, operational resilience, and national security modernization.
Casey is recognized for driving strategic growth through high-impact partner ecosystems that accelerate secure digital transformation, strengthen cyber posture, and ensure measurable outcomes for Federal Government stakeholders. Her collaborative, mission-first approach consistently delivers value while exceeding performance targets and advancing Federal mission success.
Growing up as an athlete, I learned early how to win — and just as importantly, how to lose. Sports taught me to value teamwork, stay focused on the goal, and view setbacks as opportunities to grow both physically and mentally. Those fundamentals became the foundation of my professional career. Today, I still celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and continuously challenge myself. When it’s time to pivot or take a leap into something new, I do so with confidence — because I’ve done it before.
I began my career as a Physical Education, Health, and Driver’s Education teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. After five fulfilling years in education, I was ready for a new challenge. With encouragement from a family member working in cybersecurity, I pursued an Inside Sales Representative role at Trellix (formerly McAfee). It was the most intimidating professional leap I had taken — and, 11 years later, one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.
At Trellix, I was fortunate to be surrounded by exceptional mentors who invested in my growth and helped build my confidence in a new industry. I advanced into an Account Executive role and later stepped into leadership as Senior Manager of the DoD/IC team at SolarWinds, leading ISRs, AEs, and Business Development professionals. Most recently, I joined BeyondTrust as Federal Partner Manager, where I oversee strategic relationships across Federal VARs, VADs, Technology Alliance Partners and service delivery providers.
Reflecting on my journey, I attribute much of my success to the “athlete mindset” — resilience, discipline, and a relentless drive to improve — combined with a strong professional foundation, meaningful mentorship, and a powerful network of peers and industry leaders.
My advice to others: work hard and invest in relationships. Networking is critical in this industry, regardless of role. Be your own “one-stop-shop” — educate yourself, apply common sense, trust your instincts, and take calculated risks. When you don’t know something, leverage the expertise around you.
From athlete to educator to IT professional, one principle remains constant: never stop learning and pushing yourself to achieve more. Once you find your footing, reach back and help others climb. Create space at the table. Lift as you rise.