# Trust Spotlight: Melissa Livengood @ Amplitude

URL: https://wolfia.com/blog/trust-spotlight-melissa-livengood-amplitude
Description: Our fourth Trust Spotlight features Melissa Livengood, Head of GRC at Amplitude, on starting in security at the FBI and treating security as a partner.
Last updated: 2026-10-30

Trust Spotlight is our series featuring the people behind every security review, every policy, and every customer trust conversation. They’re often behind the scenes, playing a huge role in keeping deals moving. We think they deserve a spotlight too.

Our fourth guest is Melissa Livengood, Head of GRC at [Amplitude](https://amplitude.com). She got into security because nobody else at the FBI wanted the job. In 2006 her team had to bring their systems in line with NIST, and she was the one who stepped up. Today she’s the kind of security leader who sees her job as helping teams ship, not stopping them.

## How did you get into security?

My journey into security was unexpected. I actually started my IT career as a Network Administrator. An opportunity arose in 2006 while I was working for the FBI, we had to align our network/systems with NIST, nobody wanted to volunteer to do that work. I ended up stepping into the role as an Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO).

## What do most people get wrong about security reviews?

I think it’s the same story today as it’s been for years now. Most see security and compliance as roadblocks rather than enablers. Too often, they are treated as gates that teams have to get through instead of partners who can help them succeed securely. I believe the best security teams understand the complexities with technology, business needs and the risks to help find a responsible path forward.

## What’s something Wolfia does that you haven’t seen from other tools?

I really appreciate that Wolfia combines security questionnaire automation, a robust knowledge base, and an integrated Trust Center without requiring a full GRC platform. I’ve seen plenty of all-in-one solutions that try to do everything, but don’t necessarily do everything well. Wolfia gives organizations the flexibility to build a security ecosystem around what they actually need.

## Thank you, Melissa, for showing what security as a partner looks like.

_Know someone who should be in the Trust Spotlight? [Let us know on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wolfia-app)._