The 2023 Women Leaders in Consulting: Marci Womack

Marci Womack is Director in Schellman's Federal Practice overseeing both the emerging CMMC assessment program and the established FedRAMP assessment program. Prior to joining Schellman in 2016 as a senior associate, Marci worked as a federal contractor implementing and assessing federal cybersecurity programs, as well as an FFIEC/GLBA security controls assessor and consultant. Marci has over 10 years of information security experience across various industries and holds many key certifications. Marci is also experienced in other frameworks, including StateRAMP, CJIS, MARS-E, IRS 1075 and GLBA (FFIEC).

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

It's hard to identify a singular greatest achievement as someone who is a chronic overachiever – not an overachiever in the sense that I consistently meet my goals or exceed expectations (I have failed plenty!), but in the sense that I'm always looking for more and constantly challenging myself to be better and do better. I would say that being here in this current version of myself and with my career, family, and personal life is something I'm incredibly proud of because of the hard work and sacrifice that it took to get here; it's truly an accumulation of retrospectively small things that were certainly big at the time.

What's the best advice—consulting or otherwise—you've ever received?

"Do what is right because it's right." This advice has been the true north of my moral compass for my entire life, and it's guided me through personal and professional challenges.

What advice would you give to a female consultant just beginning her career?

Be authentic, find and use your voice, and know that you belong. It's easy to get caught up in wondering if you're saying the wrong thing, or if you're right person, or if you have the right knowledge, but 99% of the time you are in the room and in the discussion because you should be AND because at least one other person also knows that and put you there. Be confident and own it.

What does this recognition mean to you?

For someone who is always looking to the next challenge, this recognition is a stop sign (okay, maybe a yield sign) for me to pause and reflect on my professional growth and successes and the journey to this point. It makes me feel truly valued and seen for my contributions and qualities that matter most to me – my knowledge and expertise, but more importantly my leadership and mentorship among my colleagues and creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed.