Empowering Women in Cybersecurity: Optiv Honored with EWF Corporate Award 2025

Optiv Recognized for Championing Women in Cybersecurity

Optiv, a leader in cyber advisory and solutions, has recently been awarded the prestigious 2025 Executive Women's Forum (EWF) Corporate Award. This honor is presented to organizations that demonstrate a firm commitment to promoting gender diversity and inclusivity within the industry, particularly within cybersecurity, where women's representation has historically been low.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The EWF Corporate Award recognizes organizations that actively engage in practices such as employee resource groups, mentorship programs, STEM initiatives, bias training, and policies that facilitate flexible work environments. Optiv has shown its excellence in these areas by ensuring significant representation of women in leadership roles and fostering an environment conducive to their professional growth.

Kevin Lynch, the Chief Executive Officer of Optiv, stated, "Inclusion is more than a core value at Optiv — it's a competitive advantage. When people from different backgrounds and perspectives come together with a shared purpose, innovation accelerates and culture thrives."

This accolade serves to validate Optiv's ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing women's roles within commercial cybersecurity. The company has established a series of programs and measurable strategies focused on education, mentorship, and empowerment of women in the sector. Highlights of these initiatives include:

- Optiv Women's Network and Lean In Circles: These platforms facilitate networking, mentorship, and leadership development among women within the organization.
- Structured Mentorship Programs: Optiv has paired over 160 mentor-mentee relationships, providing valuable support for professional growth across all employees.
- Extensive Learning Offerings: The company offers over 10,000 live and recorded training sessions, including topics on leadership and mentorship specifically designed to foster women's advancement in the industry.
- STEAM Labs: In Denver, Kansas City, Toronto, and Bangalore, Optiv sponsors labs intended to inspire underrepresented youth, particularly young women, to explore careers in STEM fields.
- Inclusive Events: Initiatives include the first all-women hackathon held in India, showcasing Optiv's efforts to promote tech education among girls and women.
- Gender Representation: In the U.S., women make up 38% of Optiv's leadership and nearly 30% of its entire workforce, significantly exceeding industry benchmarks.

Heather Rim, Chief Marketing Officer and Chair of the Optiv Women's Network (OWN), expressed pride in the recognition: "This award is especially meaningful because it celebrates the spirit of connection and leadership. What started as a grassroots effort has now transformed into a global employee resource group comprising over 300 members who are collaboratively shaping the future of cybersecurity. Inclusion is not a one-time achievement; it is a continuous movement."

In addition to the EWF Corporate Award, many individual contributions from women at Optiv have gained national recognition, with accolades from esteemed organizations like the Security Industry Association (SIA) and CRN, emphasizing Optiv's dedication to elevating women's visibility and leadership in cybersecurity.

As Optiv continues to spearhead initiatives that empower women in cybersecurity, it stands as a beacon of inclusion and diversity in an industry that is progressively acknowledging the value of varied perspectives. This journey is pivotal, ensuring that the future of cybersecurity not only secures digital landscapes but also cultivates an environment where all individuals can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

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