As a special agent with the FBI, Kayla handled cyber criminal, cyber national security, and counterterrorism cases. She collaborated with local businesses, federal prosecutors, and international law enforcement partners to advance justice for victims and safeguard others from cyber threats. Whether engaging with a walk-in complainant, participating in an operation, or investigating a multimillion-dollar cyber fraud scheme, she approached each assignment with dedication to the mission.
In addition to case work, Kayla operated in other capacities. She ensured effective communication in high-risk scenarios as a certified negotiator on the Crisis Negotiation Team. She participated as a member of the Evidence Response Team, held a certification as a Digital Evidence Extraction Technician, and represented the FBI Agents Association for her field office.
Kayla graduated from Kent State University as an Honors College Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a minor in Psychology. Kayla's years of experience teaching mathematics and coaching multiple sports built her foundational skill set. She left teaching for a year to pursue an opportunity with International Justice Mission combatting human trafficking. She served in a field office based in Southeast Asia.
Kayla furthered her educational goals by obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and several GIAC certifications: GIAC Open Source Intelligence, GIAC Security Essentials, and GIAC Information Security Fundamentals.
Since leaving the FBI, Kayla has continued her public service in new and creative ways. She shared her story about leaving the FBI on the Forking Off podcast, created by former FBI intelligence analysts Philip and Jill Fields. Along with over 40 current and former FBI employees, Kayla, Philip, and Jill contributed to a New York Times story documenting the FBI under new leadership.
Kayla joined Philip and Jill in a quest to build a new type of intelligence firm. Dissatisfied with the status quo, they sought to build a community focused on providing objective intelligence, independent of political considerations or corporate influence. So, they formed Ravenwood Intelligence Cooperative, Inc., as a worker-cooperative dedicated to democratizing intelligence and while prioritizing worker-owner success.
In Kayla’s spare time, she is constantly planning her next travel adventure with her husband, family, or friends. She is a ferocious reader and is growing her personal library. You will find her developing content and teaching in some compacity – tutoring, mentoring, or instructing. You may also spot her on a track, still sprinting and running repeat 200s.
You can listen to Kayla's FBI departure story on the Forking Off podcast.
