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Leaders in Risk & Security You Should Know–and be Inspired By

  • Writer: The WW Team
    The WW Team
  • Jul 2
  • 5 min read

The future of security isn't just about stopping threats—it's about building trust, navigating complexity, and leading with vision. In a special series, Women in Risk & Security, Wednesday Women is proud to spotlight a group of extraordinary women who are reshaping what leadership looks like in the fields of cybersecurity, risk management, and data privacy.


Did you know that, according to the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, women only account for for ~22% of security teams? So these women have stepped into leadership in a space that's heavily dominated by male peers, incredibly intimidating to crack into, and challenging to lead in. And they're not just surviving, they're thriving.


From founding cutting-edge startups to protecting critical infrastructure, these professionals are defining the conversation around digital safety, governance, and innovation. They show up every day on LinkedIn, on stages, and in boardrooms to educate, advocate, and inspire.


Whether you're looking for your next keynote speaker, expert panelist, or simply want to diversify your social media feed—these are the women to follow... starting today.


This series is made possible by our generous partner, Osano - the leading data privacy management platform empowering organizations to build trust through smarter, safer privacy practices.


Here are 30+ trailblazing women leaders in the field of Risk & Security...


Nett Lynch | Chief Information Security Officer @ Kraft & Kennedy

Nikki Jackson | Senior Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer @ Woodforest National Bank

Julia Lake | VP of Security @ 6sense 

Melanie Sankaran | Chief Information Officer @ Aventiv Technologies 


Susan Peterson Sturm | Senior Director CyberSecurity Product and Partner Strategy @ Wabtec Corporation 

Christy Kaufman | Vice President, P&C Risk and P&C Chief Compliance Officer @ USAA

Gonda Lamberink | Director of Cyber Security M&A @ Bureau Veritas Group

Yunique Demann | VP Information Security @ TPx


Neha Srivastava | Vice President, Cybersecurity Products @ JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Sherry Hunyadi | Chief Security Architect @ Chevron

Simone Flory | SVP, Head of Model Risk @ City National Bank



Marissa Palmer | Head of Security & Compliance @ TrueCar, Inc. 

J. Nicole Dove | Head of Security, Games @ Riot Games 

Lori Kevin | Vice President Security & Compliance @ IMO Health

Dr. Rebecca Wynn | Chief Security Strategist & CISO @ Click Solutions Group



Wednesday Women features extraordinary leaders with our special weekly features - and the Women in Risk & Security who we featured on the first and last days of the series are definitely worth learning more about:


Arthi Vasudevan | Director of Product Management, Global Services @ Akamai Technologies

See Arthi's' feature post and read about how she recently delivered a TEDx talk on empowering kids to self-protect in the digital space:

"It starts with teaching them simple tips on password safety, social engineering, malware and cyber ethics. After having educated ~3500 kids, parents and teachers on Internet safety, it has become my life's mission to raise the next generation of ethical digital citizens."

Frances Zelazny | Co-Founder and CEO @ Anonybit

See Frances' feature post and read what she would love to give a TED talk on:

I would give a speech titled “The Future of Identity: Reclaiming Trust in a Digital World” - because in a world obsessed with convenience, we’ve lost control of our identities. Biometrics offer a way back—but only if we build systems that protect people, not just data. It’s time to redefine identity infrastructure from the ground up."

Jigisha Pardanani | Privacy Officer @ SMBC MANUBANK

See the post Featuring Jigisha and hear more about why she shares on LinkedIn about data privacy and giving back:

"I am deeply passionate about privacy and data protection as I find fulfillment in advocating for these issues and helping organizations navigate complex privacy challenges. For me, being Chair of the International Association of Privacy Professionals Detroit chapter is about making a impact on the field of privacy, fostering professional growth, and being part of a community dedicated to safeguarding individuals' data and privacy rights."

Adriana Winkler | | Security | Consulting | Privacy & Risk Lead | Global @ Accenture 

See Adriana's feature post and read why she champions data privacy and ethical use of AI on LinkedIn:

"I believe innovation must go hand-in-hand with protecting individual rights. As technology evolves rapidly, it’s critical that we create systems—and conversations—that prioritize transparency, accountability, and human dignity. These topics matter deeply to me because I’ve seen firsthand how privacy impacts trust, and how responsible tech practices can empower rather than exploit."

But wait! There are even more women leaders in security who are absolute rock stars. Be sure to follow and connect with them on LinkedIn!




How You Can Support Women In Security


One of the best ways to support executive women leading the way in the field of Security (and see another related series here about Women in Privacy!) is by amplifying their voices. Some ways you can do this include:


  • Following these women on social platforms and engaging with their content

  • Reading their insights and interviews, and inviting them to speak on panels

  • Advocating for increased diversity in hiring within privacy companies


Learn More About Our Sponsor: Osano

This special series featuring extraordinary Women in Risk & Security is brought to you by our partners at Osano, the leading data privacy management platform that empowers organizations to build trust through smarter, safer privacy practices.



Interested in supporting Wednesday Women and seeing more executive women features?


To stay up-to-date with everything Wednesday Women, follow us on LinkedIn, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and check out The Ripple—our podcast featuring executive women in leadership.

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