Female Leaders Who Are Reshaping the Tech Industry
July 20, 2023, 10 min read
These women have broken barriers in a male-dominated business to contribute substantially to cyber security while advocating for diversity.
The growing number of businesses relying on cloud computing and remote workers has made cyber security an absolute necessity. As a result, there has never been a greater need for competent security officers.
Numerous of these professionals have taken their years of experience in the field to develop innovative approaches to security. Their cyber security knowledge has had far-reaching effects in the business world, facilitating the proactive encouragement of diversity in the workplace and the growth of individual employees.
Who are the Leaders in Cyber Security?
Cyber security is a fast-growing field vital to protecting our digital lives. In 2023, an increasing number of female leaders in the cybersecurity field will be making great strides in advancing this critical industry. These women are working to secure systems, protect data, and create innovative solutions to ensure everyone can access a safe and secure digital world. Here are 50 female leaders in cyber security in 2023 who have made extraordinary contributions to this field. Below is a list, in no particular order, which includes some of the most prominent women leaders in the cyber security sector. Let’s meet the female founders reshaping the male-dominated cybersecurity industry.
Company: Motional
Position: Senior Vice President, Cyber Security & IT
Summer works for Morioal as a Senior Vice President, Cyber Security & IT. She has extensive knowledge in the areas of cyber crisis management and business continuity.
Summer Craze Fowler is a seasoned C-Suite executive with over 20 years of experience in cyber security and risk management. She is adept at developing technical strategies and leading teams to achieve aggressive goals while also in hyper-growth mode.
Key achievements include:
- Building a cyber security team and function from the ground up
- Achievement of ISO 27001 certification in under 10 months
- Developing and executing annual cyber security strategy of Top 5 goals with measurable objectives and risk-based focus
Company: FTI Consulting
Position: Senior Managing Director and Americas Cyber Security Leader at FTI
At FTI Consulting, where she works as the Head of Cybersecurity for the Americas, Jordan Rae Kelly is a Senior Managing Director. Kelly has been handling cyber policy development and incident response coordination for over 15 years. About breaches, insider threats, intellectual property, crisis communications, vendor management, compliance, regulation, risk management, and forensic investigations, she provides advice to clients on a wide variety of topics.
Company: Code42, Inc.
Position: Chief Information Security Officer
Jadee Hanson serves as Code42’s Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Information Officer, overseeing risk and compliance, security operations, incident response, and insider threat monitoring. With over 15 years of experience in information security, she has a track record of successfully establishing security programs. Prior to her current role, Hanson held executive leadership positions at Target Corporation, leading critical initiatives such as compliance, risk management, and insider threat assessments. She also played a pivotal role in security strategies during software development and e-commerce business acquisitions, embedding security resources into the development process. For the Target Pharmacies deal with CVS Health, she headed up security.
Company: Booking.com
Position: Chief Information Security Officer
Founded in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com has transformed from a small Dutch start-up into a global digital travel powerhouse. With Wilking’s exceptional skills and experience, they excel in enhancing risk outcomes and enabling businesses to integrate risk management without sacrificing speed and agility. He has directed information security and multi-discipline risk management programs for more than 15 years across multiple industries.
Company: TEHTRIS
Position: Founder
In 2010, Elena Poincet and Laurent Oudot founded TEHTRIS. Before that, Poincet worked as an expert in the management and leadership of specialized teams for the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. Poincet learned to take charge, take action, and find purpose in service via this ordeal. She oversees TEHTRIS’s overall mission, strategy, and operations with an emphasis on countering cyber sabotage and espionage. Poincet and Oudot drew on their expertise in many forms of attack (hacking, strategic intelligence, information technology warfare, etc.) while developing their recommendations. A precursor to the modern field of Endpoint Detection and Response, TEHTRIS was one of the first publishing houses to publish in this area in 2013. (EDR). Because of their foresight, TEHTRIS is now Europe’s only XDR (eXtended Detection and Response) platform editor.
Company: PlainID’s
Position: CTO & CP0 and Co-Founder
At PlainID, Gal Helemski is both a co-founder and the chief of innovation and product. Tel Aviv-based cybersecurity provider PlainID offers an authorization platform based on business policies. Helemski co-founded PlainID in 2015, a company that provides straightforward answers to authorization management and paves the way for more centralized management and control of digital assets.
Helemski, a well-known cybersecurity expert, directs innovation and product development for PlainID. She’s worked in the field for 14 years, during which time she’s defined solutions for clients, developed project specifications, and written technical documentation. She has also shared her knowledge of the identity and access management field by giving talks and conducting workshops.
Company: Identiv
Position: Marketing Vice President, Identiv
Identiv is a worldwide provider of physical security and secure identity, and Leigh Dow is the company’s Vice President of Marketing. Dow has over 20 years of experience in marketing, branding, and public relations, including 14 years in the Fortune 100. Early in her career, Dow worked in government affairs for both the press office of the Governor of Florida and for then-U.S. Senator Bob Graham. She previously held the position of director for global service delivery design at Honeywell. Before that, she oversaw the $1 billion Aerospace internet sales channel and online marketing as eCommerce Director. She got her start in the computer industry with Intel, where she managed immigration and Department of State programs for government affairs before moving on to public relations and marketing.
Company: Towerwall
Position: President & CEO
Towerwall, led by Michelle Drolet, is a cybersecurity, cloud, and virtual CISO services organization serving clients like Foundation Medicine, Boston College, and Middlesex Savings Bank. Drolet has more than 24 years of experience in the fields of network and cybersecurity and is responsible for all elements of Towerwall’s operations. She has used her expertise to establish Towerwall as a frontrunner among providers of cybersecurity services and solutions. Drolet has a solid reputation in the industry thanks to his frequent articles in national publications such as Forbes Council and IDG CSOonline.
Company: Perimeter 81
Position: Vice President of Marketing
Perimeter 81 is a powerful and user-friendly converged networking and network security platform. It seamlessly connects all users, whether in the office or remote, to on-premises or cloud resources. As a cloud-native service, it offers advanced features like Zero Trust remote access, Internet access control, malware protection, and firewall as a service. It enables any business to build a secure corporate network over a private global backbone, without hardware, and within minutes. Netzer is a marketing guru who has helped numerous cybersecurity firms grow. With 20+ years of international B2B cybersecurity experience, she is a passionate and results-driven marketing strategist and seasoned leader. She played a key role in achieving 50%+ business growth year over year by building diverse teams, establishing new tech categories, creating an effective marketing machine, and maintaining market leadership and connections.
Company: DefenseStorm
Position: Customer Solutions Vice President
In 2019, Paige Barry joined DefenseStorm to lead the teams responsible for deploying, supporting, and improving their offerings. With over 20 years of experience in serving the financial industry’s technological needs, Barry is a trusted executive at DefenseStorm, currently serving as Vice President of Customer Solutions. DefenseStorm’s integration and automation of cybersecurity and cyber compliance for banking help financial institutions achieve cyber safety and soundness through legislation and policies.
Company: TerzionDx
Position: Vice President Global Consulting Services | Advisory Board Member
As an Information and cyber Security and Data Protection Director/Senior Consultant and Auditor, she is acutely aware of the constant cyber and data protection threats that have turned into today’s remote battleground. These risks present a major challenge to organizations worldwide, requiring a resilient approach to business risk and a global capacity to effectively combat them. She excels in providing data protection and cybersecurity services, using advanced solutions and global frameworks to safeguard client business strategies.
As a subject matter expert, she guides diverse customers through optimizing and digitally transforming their data protection and security operations, ensuring compliance with industry best practices. Through her outstanding leadership and project management abilities, I adeptly coordinate and oversee all phases of support and project-based initiatives. She excels in crafting IT security and privacy strategies, policies, and procedures that align with business objectives and influence organizational plans. With a strong commitment to bolstering cyber defense and data protection capabilities, she guides organizations through the intricate cybersecurity landscape with confidence and resilience.
Company: Barikat Siber Güvenlik
Position: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
With more than 15 years of experience in education and technology, Didem Tufan is passionate about creating engaging online learning solutions for different types of learners. She helps individuals and organizations achieve their learning goals through user-friendly online tools. Currently, she works part-time as a teacher at Dokuz Eylul University. In addition to her teaching role, Didem Tufan also works at Barikat Cyber Security, a well-known cybersecurity company in Turkey. There, she manages the Cyber Career Program, which offers training and support to junior cybersecurity employees. She also helps identify training needs, plans and coordinates training activities and sets up orientation and compliance processes for new hires. Didem’s expertise in e-learning and cybersecurity education makes her an important contributor in these fields.
Company: Sapphire
Position: Chief Commercial Officer
Charly Davis, currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Sapphire, a leading cybersecurity company in the UK. She has over twelve years of experience in cybersecurity and a focus on operational technology (OT) security. Using her knowledge of IT, OT, and IoT security, Charly leads the team in creating customized security solutions. Specifically solutions that meet each client’s specific needs and follow compliance rules. Her leadership ensures the delivery of strong security measures. While her expertise in OT security helps shape Sapphire’s overall security services. Charly’s dedication to learning is shown through her multiple certifications in information security and risk management.
Company: ISC2
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Clar Rosso, the Chief Executive Officer at ISC2 for over three years, boasts more than two decades of experience in assisting global professional associations and certifying bodies in enhancing member value. Recognized for her strategic acumen and team-building skills, Clar has proven instrumental in driving revenue growth consistently while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity within her teams. Her ability to foresee future industry trends and effectively translate them into actionable strategies has positioned ISC2 as a forward-thinking leader in the cybersecurity profession. Clar’s leadership style emphasizes motivation, continuous learning, and adaptability, ensuring that her organization remains well-prepared for future challenges and industry changes.
Company: Mimecast
Position: Senior Manager of Product Management
Dr. Kiki Addison, a technology leader specializing in data science and cybersecurity, has dedicated over six years to Mimecast. Mimecast is a prominent cybersecurity company. Currently serving as the Senior Manager of Product Management, Dr. Addison brings a wealth of expertise to her role. This is all the while driving innovation and strategic direction within the organization. With a focus on leveraging data science to enhance cybersecurity solutions, Dr. Addison plays a pivotal role in shaping Mimecast’s product offerings to meet the evolving needs of clients in an ever-changing digital landscape. Her leadership and commitment to excellence have solidified her reputation as a trusted and influential figure in the field of cybersecurity.
Company: Innova Solutions
Position: President
Shantala Sadananda is a seasoned executive with a remarkable track record spanning over 27 years, boasting expertise in strategy, consulting, technology, and outsourcing, with a focus on the Banking, Financial Services, and Emerging Markets sectors. Currently serving as the President and Global Head of BFS, CME & Emerging Markets at Innova Solutions, a leading global organization with a staggering $3 billion in revenue, over 55,000 employees, and 50+ delivery centers, Shantala spearheads the transformation and innovation agenda, driving value creation and impact across diverse regions and industries.
Shantala leverages innovative solutions and high-performance teams to achieve organizational excellence. This is with a mission to foster creative disruption, sustainable strategies, and outcome-driven delivery, Her leadership has been instrumental in leading organizations to organic growth, as well as through strategic acquisitions and mergers, propelling digital agendas forward and elevating customer experiences. Beyond her professional achievements, Shantala is deeply passionate about diversity and inclusion, actively mentoring and coaching aspiring leaders in business and technology. Renowned for her insights and expertise, she frequently contributes to industry-specific events and executive management programs, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experiences accumulated over the years.
Company: Checkmarx
Position: Security Research Team Lead
Tal Folkman is a skilled cybersecurity expert with over seven years of experience. She’s great at finding and studying harmful code in open-source software. In 2021, Tal joined Dustico, a company focused on software security, which was later bought by Checkmarx. Before that, she spent five years in the IDF’s Cybersecurity Red Team. Now, as the Security Research Team Lead at Checkmarx, Tal and her team work hard to stop attacks on software supply chains and keep everything safe.
Jenny Radcliffe, known as “The People Hacker,” is a globally recognized Social Engineer. She is renowned for her ability to circumvent security systems using a blend of psychology, cunning, and guile. Dubbed a “burglar for hire,” she has dedicated her career to infiltrating secure locations, protecting clients from scams. Also to orchestrating simulated criminal attacks to fortify security measures and safeguard valuable assets.
Her extensive contributions to the cybersecurity field have earned her numerous accolades, including induction into the InfoSec Hall of Fame and recognition as one of the top female cybersecurity leaders by SC Magazine and IT Security Guru. Jenny’s influence extends beyond awards; her best-selling book, “People Hacker – Confessions of a Burglar for Hire,” published by Simon and Schuster in 2022, is set to be adapted into a major television series. As a sought-after keynote speaker and media personality, Jenny continues to shape the cybersecurity conversation, sharing her insights through podcasts, panels, and live events for international brands and organizations.
Conclusion
These experienced professionals lead renowned IT companies, serving both public and private clients with top-notch cybersecurity services. Their decades of expertise set them apart from competitors and enable them to address growing cybersecurity concerns across industries. They have successfully protected clients from cyberattacks and provided valuable advice on broader cybersecurity initiatives.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on
