The 20 winners of the Most Inspiring Girls in Cyber Awards have been introduced at a ceremony held on the iconic BT Tower in London on the twenty sixth February 2025. The awards celebrated the achievements of ladies working in cybersecurity across the globe – whether or not recognising private achievements, efforts to shut the gender divide within the trade or these mentoring the following era of ladies in cyber. The award ceremony was organised by Eskenzi PR and sponsored by KnowBe4, BT, Bridewell, Mimecast, Varonis, Certes, Pentest-Instruments and AI Dionic.
In 2025, the awards obtained the very best variety of submissions because it started in 2020. The rise in nominations was largely partly as a result of expanded group partnerships with WiCyS UK&I, WiTCH, InClusive InCyber and CyBlack. Every of those organisations are on the forefront of spearheading change in cybersecurity and are devoted to creating cyber a extra inclusive trade.
As a result of worldwide nature of the awards, the occasion was additionally stay streamed for many who have been unable to attend in individual. You possibly can rewatch right here: Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards 2025
Alongside the highest 20, six distinctive ‘Ones to Watch’ have been topped on the ceremony, together with particular recognition for 2 volunteers at The Cyber Helpline.
This yr’s winners have been chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, who had a troublesome process whittling down an inventory of over 250 completed girls down to only 20.
The judges have been:
- Yasemin Mustafa, Safety Portfolio Director at BT
- Anne Dolinschek, Senior Supervisor of Public Relations (EMEA) at KnowBe4
- Dr. Kiri Addison, Senior Supervisor of Product Administration at Mimecast
- Dr. Iretioluwa Akerele, Co-Founding father of CyBlack
- Rachel Downs, Principal Guide at Bridewell
- Julie Osborne, Director, International Safety Management Frameworks at Barclays and Vice President of WiCyS UK and Eire Affiliate
- Holly Foxcroft
- Aymun Lashari, Group Supervisor at LT Harper
- Illyana Mullins, Founding father of WiTCH (Girls in Tech and Cybersecurity Hub)
- Yvonne Eskenzi, Co-Founding father of Eskenzi PR
The night additionally included an off-the-cuff panel dialogue, masking every little thing from how the panellists entered the cybersecurity trade to how leaders can champion and encourage allyship inside their organisations. Chaired by Yvonne Eskenzi, panellists included: Dr. Iretioluwa Akerele, Founding father of CyBlack; Aymun Lashari, Group Supervisor at LT Harper; Illyana Mullins, Founding father of WiTCH; Danu Sivapalan, Senior Product Supervisor, Id and Entry Administration at Sainsbury’s, and Head of Partnerships at WiCyS UK&I Affiliate; and Dr. Runli Guo, Founder and CEO of AI Dionic.
Moreover, on the occasion, £345 was raised for the NSPCC. The NSPCC Childline is the cybersecurity trade’s chosen charity and helps to assist kids in want throughout the nation.
Didar Gelici, Former Head of Danger Compliance and Information Safety at Simply Eat, who was named among the many high 20 this yr, mentioned: “It was an evening of awe and feelings. The calibre and affect of all of the nominees and winners, the venue (and the truth that that is the final time we’ll get pleasure from its views earlier than it will get remodeled), I ceaselessly discovered myself tearing up. It is likely one of the most prestigious occasions of the cyber yr and I’m so glad to see it come to life yearly, might it proceed for many years to return.”
Additionally named as one of many High 20, Michelle Corrigan, Director on the Digital Care Hub, mentioned: “Main a cybersecurity programme in Grownup Social Care shouldn’t be probably the most conventional cyber function. Receiving the Most Inspiring Girls in Cyber award is each an honour and a name to motion for continued innovation and management on this area. Final night time’s occasion celebrated the outstanding achievements of ladies throughout the cybersecurity panorama and reaffirmed the ability of range within the sector. I’m deeply grateful for this recognition and the chance to share my experiences with a dynamic and electrical group of ladies. I stay dedicated to advancing cybersecurity, mentoring future expertise, and fostering a tradition the place each voice is valued. Collectively, we’re shaping a safer digital world. I’m extra impressed than ever to proceed my contribution to it.”
Danu Sivapalan, Senior Product Supervisor, Id & Entry Administration, at Sainsbury’s, and Head of Partnerships at WiCyS UK&I Affiliate, named among the many high 20, however was additionally on the panel on the night representing WiCyS UK&I, mentioned: “The 2025 Most Inspiring Girls in Cyber Awards was such an unimaginable occasion. It was wonderful to listen to so many inspirational tales concerning the challenges girls face and the way they continue to be resilient and proceed to make strides within the Business while giving again to the group. As an advocate for ladies in cyber, I really feel really honoured to be the recipient of this Award and be recognised for the contributions I’ve made in creating the Girls In Cyber Safety (WiCyS UK&I) Partnerships Framework. This gives alternatives within the type of studying & improvement and assist & steering to our members and helps our mission to recruit, retain & advance girls in cybersecurity.”
Additionally named among the many high 20, Sophia McCall, Strategic Risk Intelligence Lead at NCC Group, mentioned: “It was an honour to be a part of such a tremendous occasion that celebrates the outstanding expertise inside our trade. Attending the MIWIC Awards was really an unimaginable expertise, and I’m deeply humbled to have been a part of this yr’s occasion. Listening to the inspiring tales and journeys of the attendees, in addition to their visions for the longer term, has left me feeling excited concerning the course of the cybersecurity workforce and the waves we’re making within the trade.”
Full record of winners:
TOP 20
- Dr. Eirini Anthi, Senior Cybersecurity Safety Chief at Cardiff College
- Jennifer Odogwu, International Head of Range, Inclusion and Social Affect at Mimecast
- Marine Ruhamanya, Consulting Cyber Safety Senior Supervisor at Accenture
- Michelle Corrigan, Director at Digital Care Hub
- Vladlena Benson, Professor, Aston Centre, Aston College
- Annabel Turner, Founding father of CyberSafe Scotland
- Jess Matthews, Compliance Governance Officer at Acacium Group Ltd.
- Lisa Landau, CEO of ThreatLight
- Rafah Knight, CEO and Founding father of SecureAI
- Katie Beecroft, Affiliate Director of Danger and Safety, Cyber and Infosec at Constancy Worldwide
- Helen Oluyemi, Info Safety Supervisor at Pollinate Worldwide Restricted
- Eva Benn, Chief of Workers, Technique – Microsoft Purple Workforce
- Danu Sivapalan, Senior Product Supervisor, Id & Entry Administration, at Sainsbury’s
- Anastasiia Ostravska, Co-Founder & CEO Girls’s Management and Strategic Initiatives Basis (WLSIF), Co-Founder Kyiv Worldwide Cyber Resilience Discussion board, Communications Advisor Nationwide Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCSCC) below The Nationwide Safety and Defence Council of Ukraine
- Esther Edonkumoh, Senior Particular Danger Analyst at Financial institution of England
- Didar Gelici, Safety Chief at SHe CISO Exec
- Tammi Robson, Director of Info Safety and Know-how at The Labour Celebration
- Dr. Mamoona Asghar, Lecturer on the College of Galway
- Sophia McCall, Strategic Risk Intelligence Lead at NCC Group
- Stephanie Itimi, Chair of Seidea
ONES TO WATCH
- The Cyber Helpline volunteers (Katie McGuire and Kirsti Worth)
- Kiranjit Kaur Shergill, Graduate Know-how Developer at Barclays
- Sochima Okoye, Cyber Safety Guide at CSA Cyber
- Rhiannon Fairweather, Department Supervisor North and South Cyber Girls CIC
- Caroline Kamper, Strategic Cyber Risk Intelligence Analyst at SecAlliance
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