The Executive Women’s Forum on Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy (EWF) has announced the 2018 Women of Influence Award Recipients and EWF Corporate Award. Presented by Alta Associates, the annual Women of Influence Awards recognize four women for their accomplishments and leadership roles in the fields of information security, risk management and privacy. The EWF also recognizes one corporation for their efforts in advancing and promoting women in its organization. The EWF honored this year’s recipients at an awards ceremony held during the 2018 EWF National Conference.


The EWF Women of Influence Awards recognize women in four categories: public sector & academia, private solutions provider, corporate practitioner and one to watch. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges from nominations submitted by the nominee's peers. Judges selected the winners based on a six point set of criteria: A positive influence on the professional community, the application of creativity or innovation in solving problems or overcoming challenges, a demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards, a history of designing and implementing effective solutions, sustained record of accomplishments and contributions to the field and service as mentor of trusted advisor to colleagues, students and others. The EWF Corporate Award looks at corporate performance, sustainability, women in key positions and corporate governance.


"The Executive Women’s Forum is thrilled to honor the recipients of the 2018 Women of Influence Awards and the EWF Corporate Award," said Joyce Brocaglia, EWF founder and CEO of Alta Associates. "We are proud to honor women for their outstanding achievements because we understand the importance of providing industry recognition of their accomplishments, as a way to both inspire women in our field and raise awareness in our industry of outstanding women who are doing exemplary work. We are also proud that Booz Allen Hamilton, an EWF corporate benefactor, is the Corporate Award recipient. Analogous to EWF’s mission, Booz Allen is committed to developing and sponsoring women, promoting inclusive leadership and ensuring balanced promotion opportunities.”


The Corporate Practitioner Award goes to Rhonda Childress, IBM Fellow, vice president global technology services, data security and privacy officer, IBM. The One-to-Watch goes to Virginia Mayo, chief engineer of the IBM Services Security Patch Management Program, IBM. The Private Solutions Provider recipient is Bonnie Butlin, co-founder and executive director, Security Partners’ Forum. The Public Sector & Academic Award goes to Kristin Judge, president and CEO, Cybercrime Support Network. Booz Allen Hamilton received the 2018 EWF Corporate Award. 


To nominate a Woman of Influence for 2019, or for more information about the Women of Influence Awards, click here.