Eskenzi PR, the organizers of The Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards, are pleased to reveal the theme for this year’s event panel discussion: “Keeping DEI on the agenda: progressing, not regressing.” This crucial topic, shaped by ideas submitted by nominators, will be at the forefront of discussions during the event scheduled to take place at The BT Tower in London on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025. The event has garnered sponsorship from prominent organizations such as KnowBe4, BT, Bridewell, Mimecast, Varonis, Pentest-Tools, and AI Dionic.
In the year 2025, amid a tumultuous global political landscape, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are facing the risk of fading from the priority list. This potential regression could have detrimental effects on underrepresented talent, particularly in sectors like cybersecurity where diversity remains a pressing issue. How can the dialogue on DEI continue to advance even in the absence of supportive policies? And how can organizations ensure they do not reverse their progress in fostering diverse hiring practices? These fundamental questions will be explored by the esteemed panelists at the event.
This year, The Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards has broadened its collaborations with leading community groups in the industry, including WiCyS UK&I Affiliate, CyBlack, WiTCH, and InClusive InCyber. Representatives from these groups will form part of the panel, offering insights based on the diverse experiences of their numerous members, providing a firsthand perspective on the state of the industry.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Yvonne Eskenzi, Co-Founder of Eskenzi PR, and will feature distinguished speakers such as Dr. Iretioluwa Akerele, Founder of CyBlack and previous award winner, Aymun Lashari from LT Harper’s InClusive InCyber initiative, Illyana Muillins of WiTCH, Danu Sivapalan from Sainsbury’s and WiCyS UK&I Affiliate, and Dr. Runli Guo, Founder and CEO of AI Dionic, the event sponsor.
In addition to addressing DEI-related topics, the panel members will share their personal experiences in the industry and discuss their career trajectories. Dr. Runli Guo expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the event, citing the importance of increasing visibility for women in cybersecurity and technology to serve as role models for aspiring professionals.
This year, The Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards received an impressive 250 nominations, marking the highest number of submissions since its inception in 2020. The winners of the awards will be announced during a ceremony at The BT Tower in London on February 26th, 2025. For those interested in attending the event virtually or engaging with winners, nominees, or panelists, arrangements can be made upon request.
The overarching goal of the event remains to elevate the dialogue on DEI in cybersecurity, empower women in the industry, and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. It is a testament to the collective efforts of industry leaders, organizations, and communities in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cybersecurity landscape.