Bundles Thinks
Perspectives on business, life, and everything that makes me curious.
Business. Technology. Perspective. A little bit of everything in between.
JoyaWoodard.
A career built on curiosity.
A life built with intention.
I'm Joya Woodard, a business and technology professional with a background in enterprise sales, cybersecurity, data, and AI. I'm also an Executive MBA student at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, a writer, and someone who believes that being well-rounded is just as important as being accomplished.
My career has given me a front-row seat to how businesses make decisions, how technology shapes industries, and how relationships create opportunities. Outside of work, I'm equally interested in the experiences, people, and ideas that make life interesting.
This is where those worlds meet.
Chicago · 202601 / The experience
More than a title.
I've built my career working with organizations navigating change, growth, and complex technology decisions.
From enterprise sales to cybersecurity and AI, my experience has taught me that the most interesting business challenges rarely have purely technical answers. They require understanding people, priorities, and the bigger picture.
Today, I bring that perspective to my work at Microsoft while continuing to expand it through my Executive MBA experience at Kellogg.
Explore my experience →02 / The editorialIdeas & observations The business series
Joya Thinks.
An ongoing collection of thoughts, questions, and observations.
I think about a lot of things. Business strategy. Technology. Careers. Money. Culture. Personal style. Why certain ideas succeed and why some people seem to understand the rules of the game better than others.
Sometimes those thoughts turn into conversations. Other times, they turn into something worth writing down.
Bundles of Business
Lessons from business school and what they mean beyond the classroom.
Consider this an invitation into my thought process.
03 / Beyond the business card
Beyond the business card.
There's more to life than meetings, milestones, and what's next on the career ladder.
For me, it's travel, fashion, golf, great restaurants, interesting conversations, and discovering something new. I enjoy building a meaningful career, but I'm just as intentional about building a life I enjoy living.
Because success should leave room for living.
More about Joya →04 / The conversation
Good conversations start somewhere.
Whether you're here because of a shared professional interest, something I've written, or simply curiosity, I'm always interested in connecting with people who bring something thoughtful to the conversation.
Let's connect ↗The person behind the perspective
About Joya.
Business-minded. Naturally curious. Always evolving.
Hi, I'm Joya.
I'm a business and technology professional, an Executive MBA student at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and someone who believes there's a lot more to life than what fits on a résumé.
Professionally, I've built my career at the intersection of business, technology, and relationships. My experience spans enterprise sales, cybersecurity, data, and artificial intelligence, with roles at Microsoft, IBM, Darktrace, OneTrust, and AT&T. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to work with organizations navigating complex business challenges, emerging technologies, and the decisions that shape their future.
What I enjoy most about my work is understanding the bigger picture. I'm interested in how businesses grow, how leaders make decisions, how technology creates value, and what separates a good idea from one that actually works. That curiosity is part of what led me to pursue my Executive MBA at Kellogg, where I'm continuing to broaden how I think about business, strategy, and leadership.
But that's only one part of who I am.
I'm originally from Chicago, and I have a genuine appreciation for a well-rounded life. I love traveling, discovering new restaurants, exploring fashion, playing golf, and finding myself in rooms where I can meet interesting people and learn something new. I enjoy a good conversation just as much as a good outfit, and I believe ambition and enjoying your life should go hand in hand.
I'm also someone who thinks a lot. About business, careers, culture, relationships, and the decisions we make along the way. That curiosity inspired Bundles Thinks, my space for sharing ideas, observations, and perspectives on the things I find worth discussing.
This website brings those different parts of my world together. It's a place to learn more about my professional experience, explore what I'm writing, and get to know me beyond the titles.
I'm glad you're here.
Explore Joya Thinks →
Experience.
Building meaningful business outcomes at the intersection of technology, strategy, and people.
My work spans cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, enterprise data, privacy, and strategic client relationships. Across these disciplines, I have focused on understanding complex business needs, bringing teams together, and helping organizations move from ideas to execution.
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
Connecting technology to business priorities.
Supported enterprise AI, data, and cybersecurity initiatives for major organizations, including The Home Depot and Norfolk Southern, during my time at IBM.
Bringing the right people together.
Led cross-functional teams spanning sales, technical specialists, and client stakeholders to pursue shared objectives and navigate complex decisions.
Making complexity actionable.
Worked with enterprise clients on cybersecurity, privacy, governance, and technology adoption through consultative engagement and value-focused discussions.
CAREER TIMELINE
DEC 2025 — PRESENT
Microsoft
Sr. Cybersecurity Specialist — Professional Services
I work with enterprise organizations to align cybersecurity strategy with business priorities. My focus includes executive client relationships, security resilience, risk management, and helping organizations evaluate security investments as technology and AI evolve.
JUN 2024 — DEC 2025
IBM
Data, AI, and Cybersecurity Platform Leader — Retail
Led strategic engagements across data, AI, cybersecurity, and business automation, supporting accounts including The Home Depot and Norfolk Southern. Partnered with executive stakeholders and technical teams on data modernization, intelligent automation, and operational priorities. Facilitated business value assessments and workshops to connect technology investments with organizational objectives.
NOV 2023 — JUN 2024
Darktrace
Enterprise Account Executive — Cybersecurity
Advised enterprise security stakeholders on AI-powered threat detection and response. Managed complex engagements involving security, IT, and compliance teams, translating technical capabilities into business considerations and partnering with specialists to support adoption.
JAN 2022 — NOV 2023
OneTrust
Client Executive — Data Privacy, GRC, ESG, and Ethics
Worked with enterprise organizations on data privacy, governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management priorities. Coordinated cross-functional commercial and technical teams and collaborated with legal, technology, and executive stakeholders to align solutions with business needs.
MAR 2019 — JAN 2022
IBM
Expert Labs — Data and AI MAR 2021 — JAN 2022
Enterprise Account Executive — Endpoint Security SEP 2019 — MAR 2021
Summit Program — Digital Sales Specialist MAR 2019 — SEP 2019
Built experience across three IBM roles in technical services, cybersecurity, and enterprise sales. In Expert Labs, supported data and AI implementation and customer success engagements. As an Endpoint Security Account Executive, managed client relationships and technology evaluations. Earlier, the Summit Program established my foundation in consultative enterprise technology sales.
JUN 2018 — MAR 2019
AT&T
B2B Sales Program — Account Executive
Began my career in business-to-business sales, developing a foundation in customer engagement, account management, relationship building, and business development.
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP
Northwestern University
Kellogg School of Management · Executive MBA, Class of 2028
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science · Community Health (Health Administration)
Leadership & Recognition
IBM President’s Club · IBM Black Network Community Impact Chair · Mentorship in technology and sales
Joya Thinks.
A little curiosity. A lot of perspective.
From business and technology to career moves, culture, and personal style, this is where I explore what I'm learning, questioning, and noticing.
Bundles Thinks
Observations and essays across the things that keep me curious.
Bundles of Business
Making sense of strategy, leadership, and the choices that shape success.
Connect.
For thoughtful conversations, creative collaborations, and new opportunities.
Whether it's a speaking inquiry, a professional opportunity, or a conversation sparked by something I've written, I welcome a thoughtful introduction.
Get in touch
Good conversations start here.
For speaking, collaborations, professional opportunities, or a note about something I've written, I'd love to hear from you.
For professional inquiries, speaking opportunities, and collaborations.
Professional & Editorial