Q&A with Adrien Diarra, Head of Trust and Safety at Meta

Adrien Diarra is the Head of Trust and Safety, Africa at Meta, an American multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. Adrien worked at Goldman Sachs from 2015 to 2018 in Engineering in New York.

1. How did you start your career at Goldman Sachs, and what was your career path during your time here?
Adrien: After seven years working at an EU Tech giant in three countries, I was at a crossroads: either return to public service, this time as a diplomat focused on Tech in emerging countries, or deepen my expertise in InfoSec while pursuing a platform for giving back to the community. I pursued the latter. Goldman Sachs was the ideal platform. My first contact with GS was in Fall 2014 at an Engineering open house for talents organized by the CIO at the time. His own personal journey inspired all of us. Three months later, I accepted my offer to join as a Vice President on the Technology Risk team. These brilliant professionals acted across all divisions as trusted risk advisors to protect our assets against cyber risks. As far as giving back to the community, I had the chance to pilot my non-profit, Aequalius, which focused on empowering SMBs in crisis-torn, fragile states. I also had the chance to support my colleagues and mentors on other community empowerment initiatives such as Cycle for the Cause-The Northeast Aids ride, FOCOS, Mali Health, and the Mentor Foundation USA.

2. You moved from Wall Street to helping people in emerging countries connect securely with their communities and loved ones through Tech and social media. What have you learned from this experience?
Adrien: The next frontier of growth for many industries, especially in Tech, is in emerging countries. This is where we have the biggest opportunities to solve problems at scale, using AI, FinTech, web3, identity management, and social media. I am glad to see a maturing ecosystem, in terms of capital to support talents in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. As individuals focus on product-market fit or business capture strategy, a secure-by-design product and user-centric initiatives are just as important, especially with increased regulations. The great news is that talent is in these regions and cyber literacy is becoming ubiquitous, thanks to awareness campaigns. As for joining this space, it’s been a great experience filled with many structural problems to solve.

3. You were recently recognized as one of Africa’s Top 100 Young Business Leaders in the Choiseul 100 Africa. What do you think are some of your most influential career moments that led you to this recognition?
Adrien: It’s certainly a great thing to be recognized for impact alongside many incredible talents. One thing I’ve learned while cruising 20+ countries in Africa is the magnitude of talents below the radar, each of whom could have easily been equally recognized. The way they do more with less is humbling. Purpose unites us. For the past 15 years, my purpose has been slowly guided towards improving, directly or indirectly, people’s lives in emerging countries through secure Tech adoption. While I was born in Mali and raised in France, the African continent naturally became a region of focus to me, though I worked in Europe, Latin America, and APAC prior to joining Goldman Sachs. Three career moments led me to this recognition: (1) my decision to serve in the military and embrace the complexities of this world while learning to be purpose-oriented, (2) my first manager in the private sector, a 30-year Tech veteran, Spanish-Japanese raised in France, who inspired me through his capacity to influence organizational agenda using a clear vision and investing on young talents, and (3) periodic cycles of self-reflection and writing down the convergence between my mission, skills, and passion, and acting upon it. 

4. What advice do you have for others who are focused on building their careers and leadership skills?
Adrien: 
1. Self-discipline and consistency are underrated. In a world where instant gratification seems the norm, I found it helpful to keep in mind that achieving great things takes experience, good or bad, and momentum. 

2. Know yourself and embrace humility. Since you mostly get it through thoughtful feedback from believable people, take it as a gift.

3. Hone your communication skills, especially if you often interact in a non-native language.

4. The culture you create or accept matters and is shaped by the worst behavior a leader is willing to tolerate.

5. Mentorship is a two-way street and should encompass a 360 view of someone’s life. 

6. It’s okay to be nice. Respect people and expect the same.

5. How did you leverage your GS network after you left the firm?
Adrien: I was fortunate to have a handful of true friends and mentors at GS from all backgrounds. We created strong bonds especially through exceptional life events, such as the first years of parenthood or family loss. We usually connect around holidays, life events and our common passion for giving back. I still spend my evenings with a friend and fellow GS Alum when I am in Nairobi, Kenya. 

6. What is one thing you learned at Goldman Sachs that has influenced your professional or personal experience the most?
Adrien: Be comfortable being uncomfortable. At GS, where building trust and enrolling others is key to any progress, the only way to do it is to overcome our need for invulnerability.