2023 Award Winners - Women in Security Awards

We would like to recognise a cohort of amazing men and women who are creating positive change by setting an example for their peers, their mentees and themselves.

“If you can see it, you can be it”.

Behind each of those nominations is a story of collaboration; of people working together to make a positive impact on society. The awards honour their achievements in their professional lives and their ability to collaborate with others to further the cause of diversity and achievement in security.

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestVolunteer

BEST VOLUNTEER

Abby Zhang

Security Analyst at Kordia

3351300

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestProgram

BEST PROGRAM FOR YOUNG INDIVIDUALS IN SECURITY

Cyber Skills Aotearoa

Grok Academy and Tātai Aho Rau Core Education

3351301

NZWSA2023_Winner_MostOutstandingITSecurity

NEW ZEALAND’S MOST OUTSTANDING IN IT SECURITY

Dila Beisembayeva

Senior Implementation Lead (Micro-credentials) at Te Pūkenga

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_MostOutstandingITSecurity

NEW ZEALAND’S MOST OUTSTANDING IN IT SECURITY

Jenna Whitman

CISO from Callaghan Innovation

3351320

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestIndustryInitiative

BEST INDUSTRY INITIATIVE THAT SUPPORTS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

OMGTech from Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust

3351699

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_BestIndustryInitiative

BEST INDUSTRY INITIATIVE THAT SUPPORTS DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

ISACA Auckland Chapter and SheLeadsTech

3351692

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestInnovativeBusiness

BEST INNOVATIVE BUSINESS “RESHAPING THE FUTURE” OF THE SECURITY INDUSTRY

Xero

3351778

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestSecureCoder

BEST FEMALE SECURE CODER

Darya Koko

Software Developer at Best Practice Software

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestSecurityMentor

BEST SECURITY MENTOR

Michelle Crowe

Team Lead – Security Risk from Xero

3351315

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_BestSecurityMentor

BEST SECURITY MENTOR

Hilary Walton

Technology Strategist from Microsoft

3351313

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestSecurityStudent

BEST SECURITY STUDENT

Courtney Monique Wilson

Student at The University of Waikato

3351302

NZWSA2023_Winner_UnsungHero

UNSUNG HERO

Mahsa McCauley

Founder and Director from She Sharp

3351310

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_UnsungHero

UNSUNG HERO

Olivia Uhrle

Associate Security Consultant from Quantum Security Services

3351309

NZWSA2023_Winner_MostInnovativeEducator

MOST INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR IN CYBERSECURITY

Education Arcade

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_MostInnovativeEducator (1)

MOST INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR IN CYBERSECURITY

Xero

3351303 (1)

NZWSA2023_Winner_BestPlaceToWork

BEST PLACE TO WORK FOR WOMEN IN SECURITY

Spark NZ

3351783

NZWSA2023_Winner_ChampionOfChange

CHAMPION OF CHANGE

Dean Navarro

Head of Information Security from Fidelity Life Assurance Company Limited

3351308

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_ChampionOfChange (1)

CHAMPION OF CHANGE

Ben Amadi

Cybersecurity Education Analyst from Xero

3351307

NZWSA2023_Winner_CybersecurityChampion

CYBER SECURITY CHAMPION

Denise Carter-Bennett

Senior Cybersecurity Engineer from datacom New Zealand

3351319

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_CybersecurityChampion (1)

CYBER SECURITY CHAMPION

Katja Feldtmann

Managing Director from Cybershore

3351317

NZWSA2023_SpecialRecognition_CybersecurityChampion

CYBER SECURITY CHAMPION

Robyn Frye

VP, Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Compliance from Workday

3351316

NZWSA2023_Winner_OneToWatchITSecurity

THE ONE TO WATCH IN IT SECURITY

Chido Liberta Mushaya

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

3351731

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_OneToWatchITSecurity (1)

THE ONE TO WATCH IN IT SECURITY

Issy Riddell-Garner

Senior Cyber Security Consultant from Deloitte

3351304

NZWSA2023_HighlyCommended_OneToWatchITSecurity (1)

THE ONE TO WATCH IN IT SECURITY

Jaimee Mullins

Junior Cybersecurity Engineer from SSS IT Security Specialists

3351305

NZWSA2023_Winner_HarakekeAchievementAward (1)

HARAKEKE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

KPMG for the Kiwa mentoring program

3351860