EPISODE · May 28, 2026 · 56 MIN
Wendy Chin: From a Solo Train Ride in Taipei to Building AI's Immune System
from Beyond The Keynote Show · host Carmen Sederino
Connect with Carmen Sederino Website: illuminatedstory.com LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino YouTube: Illuminated Story Instagram: @illuminatedstory Free Masterclass: Beyond the Keynote MasterclassConnect with Wendy Chin Website: purecipher.com LinkedIn: Wendy ChinWendy Chin: From a Solo Train Ride in Taipei to Building AI's Immune SystemEpisode Description Carmen Sederino sits down with Wendy Chin, Founder and CEO of PureCipher, the AI security company building the trust layer for the artificial intelligence used by enterprises, governments, and the US military. Wendy grew up in Taiwan, landed in the US at almost 16 without speaking English, and went from a D to an A in her first year of boarding school while studying Julius Caesar and senior physics in a language she barely understood.That grit carried her to Cornell for two engineering degrees, an MBA at Wharton, and Bell Labs. The conversation runs from her family story to the front lines of AI safety: data poisoning, fully homomorphic encryption, agentic AI risk, and the AI personas her team is building that could one day deliver a keynote in her place.Key MomentsThe Taipei train story: her mum sending her solo across the city in fourth grade, and what it taught her about depending on herselfGoing from a D to an A in one year at boarding school while reading Julius Caesar in a language she could barely speakFollowing a Nobel Laureate on stage in front of 350 scientists, and the opening line that disarmed the roomThe 200 days it takes the average company to discover a breach, plus another 70 to remediate, and what hackers do with that timeThe AI persona of a global foundation executive who refused to share confidential strategy, even when Wendy claimed security clearanceGenerating a Christmas family photo of a family she doesn't have, then sending it to her real siblings to mess with themQuotes to Remember"What doesn't break you makes you stronger. If there is a will, there is a way.""I am human, but I am artificial intelligence. I'm not organic human like you, but I am non-organic human."Wendy's JourneyBorn in Taiwan to parents who put her on a Taipei train in fourth grade to deliver something to her grandmother, Wendy moved to the US at almost 16, learned English at a Massachusetts boarding school, then earned two engineering degrees at Cornell and an MBA at Wharton. She started at Bell Labs on military video conferencing and early cybersecurity, led divisions at Pfizer, AT&T, and Siemens, and founded PureCipher to build the security layer AI is racing past.Advice for Speakers Wendy's advice is simple: know your stuff. The only time she felt real nerves on stage was following a Nobel Laureate in front of 350 scientists, and the moment she started talking the nerves disappeared because she had lived the subject. Add a little humour, lean on early reps wherever you can find them (she credits emceeing Asian American talent shows at Bell Labs), and if you're nervous, it usually means you haven't done the preparation yet.Free Resource Beyond the Keynote MasterclassAbout the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create impactful, memorable speaking experiences.Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.
What this episode covers
Connect with Carmen Sederino Website: illuminatedstory.com LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino YouTube: Illuminated Story Instagram: @illuminatedstory Free Masterclass: Beyond the Keynote MasterclassConnect with Wendy Chin Website: purecipher.com LinkedIn: Wendy ChinWendy Chin: From a Solo Train Ride in Taipei to Building AI's Immune SystemEpisode Description Carmen Sederino sits down with Wendy Chin, Founder and CEO of PureCipher, the AI security company building the trust layer for the artificial intelligence used by enterprises, governments, and the US military. Wendy grew up in Taiwan, landed in the US at almost 16 without speaking English, and went from a D to an A in her first year of boarding school while studying Julius Caesar and senior physics in a language she barely understood.That grit carried her to Cornell for two engineering degrees, an MBA at Wharton, and Bell Labs. The conversation runs from her family story to the front lines of AI safety: data poisoning, fully homomorphic encryption, agentic AI risk, and the AI personas her team is building that could one day deliver a keynote in her place.Key MomentsThe Taipei train story: her mum sending her solo across the city in fourth grade, and what it taught her about depending on herselfGoing from a D to an A in one year at boarding school while reading Julius Caesar in a language she could barely speakFollowing a Nobel Laureate on stage in front of 350 scientists, and the opening line that disarmed the roomThe 200 days it takes the average company to discover a breach, plus another 70 to remediate, and what hackers do with that timeThe AI persona of a global foundation executive who refused to share confidential strategy, even when Wendy claimed security clearanceGenerating a Christmas family photo of a family she doesn't have, then sending it to her real siblings to mess with themQuotes to Remember"What doesn't break you makes you stronger. If there is a will, there is a way.""I am human, but I am artificial intelligence. I'm not organic human like you, but I am non-organic human."Wendy's JourneyBorn in Taiwan to parents who put her on a Taipei train in fourth grade to deliver something to her grandmother, Wendy moved to the US at almost 16, learned English at a Massachusetts boarding school, then earned two engineering degrees at Cornell and an MBA at Wharton. She started at Bell Labs on military video conferencing and early cybersecurity, led divisions at Pfizer, AT&T, and Siemens, and founded PureCipher to build the security layer AI is racing past.Advice for Speakers Wendy's advice is simple: know your stuff. The only time she felt real nerves on stage was following a Nobel Laureate in front of 350 scientists, and the moment she started talking the nerves disappeared because she had lived the subject. Add a little humour, lean on early reps wherever you can find them (she credits emceeing Asian American talent shows at Bell Labs), and if you're nervous, it usually means you haven't done the preparation yet.Free Resource Beyond the Keynote MasterclassAbout the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create impactful, memorable speaking experiences.Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.
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Wendy Chin: From a Solo Train Ride in Taipei to Building AI's Immune System
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