💫 We're happy to announce the finalists for the Cybersecurity Leader of the Year for 2025!
Cybersecurity Leader of the Year Award, spotlighted across five focus areas that reflect the breadth of modern security leadership, from boardroom strategy and SOC operations to research, standards, and talent development.
⚡️ Recognized contributions:
Leadership in developing or implementing cybersecurity strategies that strengthen data security or mitigate risks.
Innovative approaches to solving cybersecurity challenges or improving organizational security posture.
Promoting a culture of inclusivity and collaboration within the cybersecurity team.
Contributing to organizational security awareness and ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards.
1. Executive Security Leadership & Digital Transformation
These leaders sit at the intersection of business, technology, and risk, driving enterprise-wide security strategy, cloud and AI transformation, and board-level impact while building diverse, high-performing teams.
⭐ Aysha Khan – CIO & CISO, Treasure Data
⭐ Dina Mathers – CISO, Carvana
⭐ Priya Mouli – CISO, Sheridan College
⭐ Stella Danso – CISO in Residence, Tekboox Inc./TekResilience.com
⭐ Teri Green – CIO/CISO, Lite Technology Solutions
2. Security Operations & Critical Infrastructure Defense
This group secures some of the most critical environments in the world, from aviation and water to large-scale retail and federal agencies, leading SOCs, incident response, and zero trust strategies at scale.
⭐ Amanda Steinberg – Information Security & Compliance Analyst | WFD Cybersecurity Instructor, Las Vegas Valley Water District
⭐ Annastacia (Stacy) Chege – Head Technology Risk and Cybersecurity, Kenya Airways
⭐ Becky Goza – Sr. Director – IT Risk Management, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cloud Security & Security Operations, Ulta Beauty
⭐ Courtney Schiffman – Vice President, Delivery, MBL Technologies
⭐ Kylie Watson – Head of Security and CISO, APJ MEA, DXC Technology
3. Governance, Risk, Compliance & Regulated Environments
These finalists excel in some of the most heavily regulated spaces, leading FedRAMP and ISO programs, financial services security, pharma/health compliance, and identity & access governance.
⭐ Lalitha Amarapalli – Manager, Computer Systems Validation, Fresenius Kabi USA
⭐ Rebecca James – Head of Customer Success (Fraud & Financial Crime), Featurespace, a Visa solution
⭐ Sharon Chahal – Principal PM Manager (Security & Identity), Microsoft
⭐ Varsha Agarwal – Head of Information Security, Prosper Marketplace, Inc.
⭐ Zahra Zafar – Senior Manager, RGS & Commercial Compliance, Rackspace Technology
4. Cybersecurity Research, Standards & Emerging Tech
At the cutting edge of AI security, 5G/6G, telecom, threat intelligence, and offensive security, these leaders shape standards, explore new attack surfaces, and push the boundaries of what “secure by design” means.
⭐ Alex Keedy – Senior Strategic Advisor (CTI & Dark Web Intelligence), Flashpoint
⭐ Anmol Agarwal – Senior Security Researcher, Nokia
⭐ Kylie Amison – Senior Penetration Tester, NowSecure; Co-founder & CTO, Xenophon Analytics
⭐ Onur Korucu – Non-Executive Director & Advisory Board Member, DataRep (and multiple AI/cyber startups)
⭐ Sayali Paseband – Advisor, Cybersecurity Engineering, Verisk Analytics
5. Cybersecurity Education, Community & Talent Development
These finalists are expanding the cybersecurity talent pipeline, building inclusive communities, and making security more accessible through teaching, nonprofit leadership, content, and global advocacy.
⭐ Cheryl Cooper – President, WiCyS Kansas City Affiliate; Professor of Cybersecurity
⭐ Madhuri Nandi – Head of Security, Nuvei; Co-Chair, Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN)
⭐ Narmeen Shafqat – Assistant Professor, NUST (Pakistan); Fulbright Scholar & cybersecurity trainer
⭐ Sofia C. Visciglia – CTO, 911Cyber; Co-founder & Editor-in-Chief, CyberMaterial
⭐ Tannu Jiwnani – Senior Security Engineer, Microsoft; Women@Microsoft community leader
These leaders exemplify the highest standards of excellence in cybersecurity, advancing the protection of people, systems, and global critical infrastructure. We are honored to recognize their achievements and influence across the industry.
🥁 The winners will be announced on December 4 during the Women in Tech Global Awards 2025 ceremony.
🎫 Get your ticket to join the ceremony, get actionable insights from the keynotes, and celebrate the achievements of the outstanding women in tech.