#02 - Building an Identity Career: Overcoming Setbacks & Finding Open Doors w/ Sebastian Rohr

From chemist to identity expert, community builder, and the man behind IdentiBeer—Sebastian Rohr shares his journey into IAM, the power of networking, and how resilience, mentorship, and curiosity have fueled his success. This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone growing their career in identity.

In this episode of The Identity Heroes, Sebastian Rohr—Founder of Umbrella Associates and the globally beloved “IdentiBeer Guy”—joins us to share his unfiltered journey through the identity space.

From a start in chemical engineering to building community and driving innovation in IAM, Sebastian reflects on the surprising twists that shaped his career. He opens up about how pivotal moments—including those that didn’t go as planned—ultimately led him to discover his passion for mentorship, entrepreneurship, and helping others succeed.

This conversation dives deep into:
• The power of networking and storytelling in career growth
• Why autonomy builds better teams and better IAM outcomes
• How to empower others and pay it forward in your own journey
• The importance of diversity, mentorship, and continuous learning in tech
• Future identity trends—from AI to community-driven innovation
Whether you’re leading an IAM team or just getting started in your career, Sebastian’s story is a reminder that identity work is deeply human—and no two paths look the same.

✨ Key Themes & Takeaways
• Identity careers don’t have straight lines—and that’s a good thing
• Networking is an underrated superpower in IAM
• Community matters more than credentials
• Failures can be the best turning points
• Empowered teams do more with less
• Autonomy fuels growth—for individuals and orgs
• Open source and open doors go hand-in-hand
• Everyone can mentor—even if you're still learning
• AI will change IAM—but curiosity will keep you ahead

⏱ Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:57 The Growth of the IdentiBeer Community
06:03 Sebastian's Origin Story: From Chemistry to Identity
08:50 The Importance of Networking in Identity Management
11:50 Lessons from Microsoft: The Value of Resilience
15:09 Building a Career in Identity: Skills and Insights
17:53 The Role of Autonomy in Professional Growth
24:49 Finding Mentorship in the Industry
31:14 Measuring Success in Entrepreneurship
38:12 Empowering Teams to Do More with Less
43:58 Future Trends in Identity and Access Management
48:04 Engaging with the Community and Networking

🔗 Want more Identity Heroes? Visit strata.io/identityheroes to explore all episodes, get show notes, and meet our guests.

Видео #02 - Building an Identity Career: Overcoming Setbacks & Finding Open Doors w/ Sebastian Rohr канала Strata Identity