After 1,606 days, the Toast chapter has closed. Endings are always sad, but this one had some amazing people and times associated with it that I will always look back on with gratitude. I'm grateful for Jonathan Grimm giving me the chance and trust to build an awesome security team. To Rebecca Blair and David Kosorok for being fantastic partners in the leadership journey. To Dean Crutchfield for providing mentorship and steadfast support in a really difficult job. The entire SNACK (Security, Networking, and Compliance Knowledge) team past and present for driving unwaveringly towards the vision of a fact-based, data-driven, and secure platform to protect our Customers and other Toasters. To every SINGLE person that believed that security is an important part of quality and understood the value of defense in depth. There are so many people to thank, I can't help but feel honored to share the journey with all of you. Seeing 10x customer and revenue growth, going through a pandemic reduction and then an phoenix style IPO in 2 years. Scaling from a team of two at smallest point to over 40. Watching people grow in their professional journey in an environment of psychological safety. Taking on exceptionally difficult processes of SSDLC tooling, EDR protection of a rapidly scaling workforce, navigating the security requirements of large Enterprises, Level 1 PCI, SOC2s. All at 🚀 rocketship 🚀 levels of growth. I am proud and humbled to have been a part of it, and delighted to have been at a place that yelled"#oneteam" constantly while doing so. For any of you who also ended your journey yesterday, I would like to help if I can. Please connect if you aren't already, and if I have contacts that can assist with introductions for your next steps, please reach out. For all those left at Toast - Yesterday was a difficult day regardless of which side of it you were on. We part friends, and this is a small industry. I look forward to when our paths cross again. And to all of you who reached out with kind messages, thank you. I can't express all the feelings that I've been having over the past 24 hours.
Frank Whelan
5mo
KC! You have a gift for explaining security and being pragmatic with collaborators when it comes asks. You were always a joy to work with and a huge loss to Toast. Although maybe now I won’t feel the urge to max out my AV setup to compete with yours, because I was very close to getting in a lighting rig and a few lads on boom mics ;)
Jenna Rumble
5mo
KC, you’ve had such a significant impact on Toast, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. I will remember you most for your genuine kindness. I always enjoy our conversations, and hearing your perspective. Your empathetic leadership has been a joy to witness and to experience. Your future is a bright one - keep in touch.
Willow Mosier
5mo
You're the one that took a chance on me when I made the move from software dev to AppSec. I likely wouldn't have this amazing career without that opportunity so thank you for what you gave me and everyone else at Toast.
Sahil Jain
5mo
You are an amazing leader, mentor and security champion. Goes without saying how thankful I am to you for giving me an opportunity to be part of your team for last 3yrs. Toast security team won’t be the same without you. It was a pleasure KC, all the best for your future and endeavors!
Gayle Maneikis
5mo
KC Laxton best of luck! Always a pleasure working with you!
Allison Harvey
5mo
So grateful to have gotten to cross paths on our TLC Accelerator course. Wishing you all the best for what's next.
Marc French
5mo
Hey sir. It was a pleasure working with you and your team. If you need anything, drop me a line and we can chat.
Rebecca Blair
5mo
KC, it was an honor and privilege. I look forward to connecting in the future and making old jokes at your expense. If you need anything, please reach out.
Managing Counsel @Snyk
5moUnbelievable journey, KC. Best of luck in finding your next amazing roll*. (*Bread puns for Life.) 😀