S.O.S. (Stories of Service) - Ordinary people who do extraordinary work

From whistleblower to cyber advocate | Paul Pearson - S.O.S. #203

Theresa Carpenter

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paul Pearson, a seasoned IT professional and mission-driven leader whose journey took a life-altering turn after he unintentionally blew the whistle while contracting for the Department of Defense. What followed was a deep dive into ethical leadership, digital justice, and community empowerment.

Paul brings over 15 years of IT experience, including a decade of service in the U.S. Air Force with expertise in digital forensics and cyberspace operations. He now leads Running Name LLC, a veteran-owned business offering cybersecurity, managed IT, and digital strategy to nonprofits and small businesses.

But Paul’s work doesn’t stop there. He also serves as:
 • President of Eduruna
 • Vice President of Whistleblowers of America
 • Director of Information at Blacks in Cyber

His 2019 whistleblower experience involving corporate espionage retaliation now fuels his advocacy for safer, more inclusive, and tech-enabled workplaces.

Topics Covered:
 • Paul’s transition from military to IT entrepreneur
 • Blowing the whistle: what really happened and what came next
 • The importance of ethical leadership in tech
 • Building secure, scalable solutions for nonprofits and small businesses
 • The mission of Eduruna and empowering through education
 • Why community matters in cybersecurity
 • Lessons in resilience, retaliation, and redemption

Connect with Paul:
 • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpearson85?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
 • Running Name LLC: https://www.runningname.com/
 • Eduruna.org: https://www.eduruna.org/

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