2025 AWARD WINNERS
GRC Rising Star of the Year: SME
Alka Kumar, Head of Client Concepts, CoreStream GRC
Alka is recognised for her unique journey into GRC, blending commercial insight with technical leadership to shape innovative platforms and bring a fresh, impactful perspective to the field.
GRC Rising Star of the Year: Large Company
Leonie Witte, Senior Cyber Security Consultant, Capgemini Invent UK
Leonie is celebrated as a rising star for her swift pivot into cyber security, leading AI innovation, and making a real-world impact through digital literacy programs across communities.
GRC International Rising Star
Julia Nsaleni Tembe, Managing Executive: Legal, Risk and Compliance, Vodacom Mozambique
Julia is recognised for her values-led leadership across legal, risk and compliance, her role in shaping ethical governance in Mozambique, and her standout contribution as a mentor and policy influencer.
GRC Innovator of the Year
Sophie Lis, Director of Compliance and Information Governance, CoreStream GRC
Sophie is honoured for revolutionising compliance through agile, tech-driven solutions, creating digital systems that have transformed governance, improved audits, and set new standards.
GRC Ambassador of the Year
Juliana Oliveira Nascimento, Senior Executive, Compliance Women Committee
Juliana is a true ambassador, recognised for founding a global compliance network, driving over 100 events, and boldly championing GRC through talks, publications, and mentoring.
GRC Role Model of the Year
2 Winners:
Victoria Guilloit, Director, Digital Trust and Security, Capgemini Invent
Rebecca McLean, Director of Risk, AXA Commercial
Victoria is celebrated as a true role model, recognised for her resilience, career-long impact, and unwavering commitment to digital trust and leadership across GRC.
Rebecca is honoured for her leadership in risk and her tireless work championing inclusion, mentoring over 30 individuals and creating meaningful change in workplace culture.
GRC Educator of the Year
Juliana Oliveira Nascimento, Senior Executive, Compliance Women Committee
Juliana is recognised for her outstanding dedication to GRC education, with an incredible reach through books, training programmes, and her role in forming a network of 3,000 women.
Male Advocate
Jano Bermudes, Chief Operations Officer, CyXcel
Jano is recognised for his active commitment to gender equity in tech, mentoring women, passing on panel opportunities, and ensuring inclusion is backed by action, not just words.
Sustainability Champion in GRC
Caro Robson, AI Ethicist and Privacy Pro, Caro Robson Consulting
Caro is celebrated for pioneering ethical AI, championing neurodiversity, mentoring future leaders, and driving global sustainability and inclusion in tech through bold, unpaid leadership.
Legal Champion of the Year
Eleonor Duhs, Barrister, Partner, Head of Data & Privacy, Bates Wells LLP
Eleonor is honoured as a legal powerhouse, shaping data protection law, challenging loopholes, and influencing policy on human rights and technology through her writing and advocacy.
Governance Champion of the Year
Claire Robson, Trustee and Deputy Chair, Chartered Insurance Institute
Claire is recognised for a lifetime of governance excellence, from implementing GDPR for millions to mentoring future leaders and advancing the profession through her work with the CGI.
AI Leader of the Year
Jen Gennai, AI Risk Manager, T3
Jen is recognised for founding Responsible Innovation at Google and shaping global AI policy, influencing major international frameworks, and driving ethical tech at the highest levels.
Technology Leader of the Year
Anna Slodka-Turner, Global Head of Risk and Compliance, Evalueserve
Anna is honoured for bridging academic insight with real-world tech solutions, transforming risk analysis and compliance platforms with innovation that truly meets industry needs.
Diversity & Inclusion Champion of the Year
Sharon Sharples, Op Risk & Risk Oversight Chief of Staff, Barclays
Sharon is celebrated for turning personal adversity into impact, championing equity at Barclays, and mentoring others through side-of-desk initiatives that are now shaping the future of D&I.
Information Security Leader of the Year
Noha Amin, GRC Cyber Security Senior Manager, NHS England & WiSCME
Noha is recognised as a trailblazer in cybersecurity, an award-winning speaker and mentor, using her platform to empower women and inspire the next generation of security leaders.
CEO of the Year
Monica Eaton, CEO, Chargebacks911
Monica is celebrated for leading Chargebacks911 with purpose, addressing systemic challenges, and delivering measurable social impact through education and innovation.
Compliance Leader of the Year
Nicola Read, Head of Compliance, The Owl Centre Limited
Nicola is recognised for her human-first approach to compliance, bringing deep insight from clinical safety and transforming frameworks to better support people and processes.
Risk Leader of the Year
Tulika Dhar, Executive Director- Risk Management & Compliance, BCB Group
Tulika is honoured for building strategic, tech-enabled risk frameworks and championing integrity, transparency, and mentorship across the GRC community.
Privacy Leader of the Year
Hayley Youngs, Group Data Privacy Officer, ManpowerGroup
Hayley is recognised for her rich, cross-sector experience in data privacy, shaping policy, educating others, and earning deep respect across both the public and private sectors.
Diversity & Inclusion Team of the Year
Inpay
Inpay is recognised for embedding diversity and inclusion into the core of its culture, with women leading the way and innovation flourishing as a result.
Cybersecurity Team of the Year
BPP
BPP is celebrated for operational excellence in cybersecurity, global adaptability, and a culture of education, earning recognition from certification bodies and community initiatives alike.
GRC Employer of the Year
Bridgehouse
Bridgehouse is honoured for putting people first, offering flexibility, work-life balance, and a values-driven culture that supports every employee to thrive.
2025 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
