In this episode of The Identity Heroes, David Lee—aka The Identity Jedi—opens up about his unfiltered path into identity and access management, from unexpected beginnings to big entrepreneurial swings.
David shares how adversity shaped his leadership style, how clarity often follows chaos, and why communication is the most overlooked superpower in tech. This isn’t a polished “success story”—it’s a raw, reflective look at identity careers, personal growth, and what it really takes to lead with purpose.
This conversation dives deep into:
- Turning challenges into clarity and growth
- What “representation” really looks like in identity
- Building programs that deliver business value
- How to empower teams when resources are tight
- The future of AI and identity collaboration
Whether you're navigating your own IAM path or coaching others, David’s story is a must-listen.
Key Themes & Takeaways
- Identity careers rarely follow a script—but that’s where the magic happens
- Communication is a leadership skill, not a soft skill
- Adversity builds clarity, focus, and grit
- Representation fuels visibility and connection
- Measuring impact matters more than measuring effort
- Creativity drives progress—especially in resource-constrained teams
- The strongest leaders know when to ask for help
- AI is an accelerator—not a replacement—for IAM strategy
Chapters
00:00 Intro to Identity Heroes & David Lee
02:59 David Lee’s Journey into Identity
06:09 Career Evolution: IAM and Beyond
08:57 Entrepreneurship and Lessons Learned
12:01 Communication: The Overlooked IAM Skill
14:59 Navigating Setbacks & Pivotal Moments
18:06 Future of Identity & Growth
31:01 Embracing Reflection in Career Paths
34:40 Finding Clarity Through Adversity
39:58 Representation and Connection in Identity
41:54 Empowering Teams with Limited Resources
45:36 Measuring Success in IAM Programs
49:31 Identity, AI & What’s Next
🔗 Explore more Identity Heroes: https://www.strata.io/identityheroes
🎙️ The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the opinions of their employer or family.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.