Join us for a talk by alum Jim Simpson (BS CS 1998) — Advisor, Loretta Technologies; Former CEO, Blumira; Former Director of Product Management, Duo Security — as part of our Alumni Lecture Series.

Bio: Jim Simpson is a seasoned technology executive with over two decades of cybersecurity experience. As CEO of Blumira, he led the company’s mission to democratize enterprise-grade security for small and medium-sized businesses. Previously, Simpson held key product leadership roles at Duo Security (acquired by Cisco for $2.35 billion) and Arbor Networks (acquired by NETSCOUT). A University of Michigan computer science graduate, he currently provides fractional product and executive services while advising technology companies on strategic growth and security initiatives. Simpson is recognized for his user-centric approach to security challenges and his advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity industry.

Abstract: CSE teaches you how to think about systems: understanding the layer below, building intentionally on the layer above. Most of us think this lesson applies narrowly to code, to architecture, to the technical work we do after graduation. It doesn’t. It scales.

In this talk, I’ll trace a nonlinear path from EECS 270 to starting product at Duo Security to leading product strategy today, showing how the same systems-thinking lens applies at every level. I’ll share stories from constrained group projects, building company operating systems, and why the bottleneck in product leadership has shifted from execution speed to strategic clarity.

Whether you’re early in your career deciding between technical and non-technical paths, or years in and wondering how your CSE background applies beyond engineering, this talk is about recognizing that systems thinking is your real competitive advantage. And it scales all the way up.