Sisterhood Spotlight
Secretary of Administration
Lyn McDermid brings vast knowledge and experience to the Youngkin administration. At a young age, Lyn was the first woman accepted to the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding. In the latest Sisterhood Spotlight, The First Lady asks Secretary McDermid about her calling to service, the challenges of the technology field and advice for women and girls pursuing careers in cyber security.
What was your very first job?
I worked part-time in retail during high school. My first real job was working at the Newport News Shipyard, where I started out as an administration assistant and was asked to become the first woman to enter the Apprentice School.
When did you first feel called to service?
I have felt a call to service since I was a little girl. My dad served in three wars and was a passionate military man and patriot. I learned from him to appreciate our country and cherish our freedom and always look for ways to give back.
Why did you decide to come out of retirement to take your current job?
Coming out of my second retirement was not an easy decision, but after talking with the Chief of Staff, interviewing with the Governor and understanding that this administration’s goal was to unite and work together, I couldn’t say no. I have lived in Virginia for decades and wanted to be part of a team that will make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family.
What are the challenges of your field today?
The biggest challenge of being in the technology field is how fast it changes, how complex it has become and how dependent we are on technology working seamlessly. They used to call IT a glass house, but the glass is shattered, and technology is ubiquitous and indispensable.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give to young women pursuing a career in cyber security?
I have supported women and girls in technology and cyber for years, and my advice is simple: You can do it! It’s just like any career: Continuously study and learn, try things out and don’t be afraid of small failures, find a great mentor, and work hard to be the best you can be. And have fun…
About Secretary McDermid
Lyn has a B.A. from Mary Baldwin College and an MBA from the University of Richmond. From 2013-2020, Lyn worked at the Federal Reserve System as Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of Federal Reserve Information Technology (FRIT). There, she oversaw the Federal Reserve System IT strategy, IT investment and spending, and enterprise cyber security. She also directed the management of national IT operations, project services, and enterprise architecture and standards. Prior to joining the Federal Reserve, she served as senior vice president and chief information officer at a Richmond-based Fortune 500 company.
Lyn has served on several boards including Chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Mary Baldwin College, Chair of the Board of the Greater Richmond Technology Council, and currently Chair of the ChildFund International Board.
Her commitment to education is reflected in long-standing support of Reynolds Community College, University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. She also serves on the IT visiting committee for Harvard University.
Lyn was named to the Computerworld’s list of Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2004, received the 2008 Executive Women in Business Achievement Award, was recognized as one of the Richmond YWCA’s 2010 Outstanding Women, and was honored with the RichTech Chairman’s Award in 2013. She co-founded the Richmond Women in Technology group and is honored with the naming of their annual recognition of women technologists as the Margaret “Lyn” McDermid awards.