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AFTER THE APPLAUSE: REFLECTIONS ON THE 2025 AUSTRALIAN WOMEN IN SECURITY AWARDS
As the applause faded and attendees lingered amid the buzz of shared achievement, the 2025 Australian Women in Security Awards gala dinner left the community energised and brimming with pride. The event, marking the awards’ seventh year, was more than a night of recognition. It was a powerful testament to how far the sector has come, and the impact of every individual, team, mentor and advocate working toward an equitable future.
The evening brought together new faces and returning legends under a canopy of spectacular storytelling entertainment, lights, stories and music. For many it was a heartening reunion; for others, their first moment in the spotlight. There was emotion, laughter, tears and inspiration as the award in category after category revealed women, nonbinary professionals and supportive allies raising the bar in IT, cyber, protective security, quantum computing and AI.
This year was not only about technical mastery (although there was plenty of that). The awards honoured innovators tackling tomorrow’s threats, founders creating opportunities, educators who light the way, volunteers, mentors, unsung heroes, and entire workplaces pioneering new standards for diversity and inclusion. From major companies to boutique consultancies, and from school programs to quantum researchers, the spectrum of achievement was breathtaking.
Sponsors, judges and organisers echoed the gratitude felt throughout the room, recognising that none of these milestones would be possible without the enduring support of a deeply invested community. The judges faced an unenviable challenge: hundreds of nominations across dozens of categories, each one a story of excellence and hard-won progress. Their care and discernment ensured that every finalist, highly commended entrant and winner was celebrated not just for ‘what’ they had achieved, but ‘how’ they had inspired others along the way.
Highlights included the celebration of Australia’s first female-founded SOC, led by Virginia Calegare, and the unwavering leadership of mentors like Sanja Petrovic, Giuliana De Bellis and security champions like Carla Tulloch, Belinda Noel and Nikki Saunders. Initiatives with meaningful impact, from workplace culture to public cyber awareness, stood side by side with technical breakthroughs and groundbreaking industry programs.
More than an awards night, the event reaffirmed a collective truth: security is stronger when every voice is heard and every barrier dismantled. As the industry grows, so too does the responsibility of members to keep opening doors and to support, mentor and lift the next wave of talent.
The legacy of these awards is still being written. But the messages delivered—messages of resilience, inclusion, courage and innovation—will reverberate long after the last award is handed out.
Congratulations again to all this year’s honourees, and to all whose daily efforts ensure that the future of security in Australia is not just safer but brighter, fairer and more inspiring for all.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOUREES
MVP OF THE IT SECURITY INDUSTRY
Winner: Craig Ford
BEST VOLUNTEER
Winner: Sarah Barnbrook
BEST SECURITY STUDENT
Winner: Mila Fisher
Highly Commended: Belinda Zhou
THE ONE TO WATCH IN PROTECTIVE SECURITY
Winner: Felicity Le
Highly Commended: Kylee Dennis
BEST PROGRAM FOR YOUNG INDIVIDUALS IN SECURITY
Winner: La Trobe Cybersecurity Program
Highly Commended: The Summer of Cyber Program by AWSN
BEST SECURE CODER
Winner: Neelkamal Gaharwar
MOST INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR IN CYBERSECURITY
Winner: Girls Talk Cyber
Highly Commended: Adara Campbell
Special Recognition: Laura Christie
CHAMPION OF CHANGE
Winner: Jakub Zverina
Highly Commended: Rhys Shobbrook
UNSUNG HERO
Winner: Tracey Edwards
Highly Commended: Steph Burr
Highly Commended: Kim Chandler McDonald
More than an awards night, the event reaffirmed a collective truth: security is stronger when every voice is heard and every barrier dismantled.
BEST INDUSTRY INITIATIVE FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUALITY
Winner: AWSN Women in Security Mentoring Program
Highly Commended: Telstra’s Internship Program
BEST IN QUANTUM CYBER CHAMPION
Winner: Sushmita Ruj
AI IN CYBER CHAMPION
Winner: Ganna Pogrebna
BEST PLACE TO WORK IN SECURITY
Winner: Phronesis Security
Highly Commended: Solis Security
Highly Commended: Grant Thornton Australia
Special Recognition: ANZ Group Cyber Security team
PROTECTIVE SECURITY CHAMPION
Winner: Adrienne Maxted
CONVERGED SECURITY RESILIENCE CHAMPION
Winner: Maryam Shoraka
Highly Commended: Rhiana Cooke
BEST SECURITY MENTOR
Winner: Giuliana De Bellis
Highly Commended: Sanja Petrovic
CYBERSECURITY CHAMPION
Winner: Nikki Saunders
Highly Commended: Belinda Noel
Special Recognition: Carla Tulloch
NEURODIVERSITY CHAMPION
Winner: Sam McGillian
BEST USE OF AI IN CYBERSECURITY
Winner: Asou Aminnezhad
AUSTRALIA’S MOST OUTSTANDING IN IT SECURITY
Winner: Shannon Lorimer
Highly Commended: Virginia Calegare
Special Recognition: Farina Riaz
AUSTRALIA’S MOST OUTSTANDING IN PROTECTIVE SECURITY
Winner: Hayley van Loon
Highly Commended: Niam Cunningham
