Happy International Women's Day! Today, we join millions of people around the world in celebrating women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality.
At Turnkey, equality is not a one-day endeavor; it’s part of who we are. We believe that our diversity contributes directly to our success, and we are intentional in building a team where differences are valued and elevated.
To recognize International Women’s Day, we reached out to our team members to hear their thoughts on how we can collectively work to advance equality within our industry. They shared the unique challenges women in cybersecurity face and their visions for the future. Their responses reflect the progress that's been made as well as the work yet to be done to make the industry and our world more inclusive and balanced.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Richard Hunt – CEO
Q: What is your vision for women in cybersecurity?
A: I've talked a lot about the concept of Digital Enterprise Resilience, the idea that we need to think about People, Protection, and Performance in the way that we think about security initiatives. And I think women have a key role to play in this. Women bring a unique strength in understanding the human side of security. They excel in change management, communication, and ensuring initiatives are well-received within organizations. We need more women in the industry to help create balance and shape a more inclusive and resilient cybersecurity landscape.
Brenda Ting - Service Delivery Manager
Q: What is your vision for women in cybersecurity?
A: I want a world where women in technology aren’t a rare thing to celebrate, but the norm. Women bring incredible problem-solving skills, creativity, and resilience. The more diverse voices we have, the stronger we become. I hope to see more women stepping into leadership roles, mentoring others, and owning their space in cybersecurity. The goal? A future where no one questions if women belong in this field—because we already do.
Brian MacFarland – Managing Director, North America
Q: What unique attributes do women bring to the workplace?
A: Empathy and emotional intelligence. Studies show women possess greater cognitive empathy, which is crucial in customer-facing roles. At Turnkey, we have a core value to "Delight our customers," and empathy plays a huge role in that. This allows customers to feel confident and trust Turnkey to resolve these issues with tact and understanding.
Catherine Pacheco – Senior SAP Security & GRC Consultant
Q: What is your vision for women in cybersecurity?
A: I envision a future where talent, passion, and vision define us—not gender. Women should stand as equals with men, not just as colleagues but as leaders and innovators. True diversity isn’t just about numbers, it’s about an inclusive culture where women’s voices are heard, ideas are respected, and dreams are celebrated. We must eliminate bias, discrimination, and barriers so that women don’t have to fight for a seat at the table—they should already be there, leading the charge.
Cavan Arrowsmith – EMEA Sales Director
Q: What is your vision for women in cybersecurity?
A: When I studied computer networks in 2005, out of 150 students, only two were women. That signalled a fundamental problem in bringing diverse talent into cybersecurity. I've seen great strides over the last 20 years with more and more people coming through, but more needs to be done to be able to have people at different levels of their careers and different levels of management within organizations. My vision is to increase opportunities, educate at the grassroots level, and foster diversity in leadership. We need to ensure women’s voices are heard and provide equal opportunities to drive the industry forward.
Hayley Watson – Senior Manager
Q: What is your vision for women in cybersecurity?
A: I hope to see more women in technical roles. While the number of women in cybersecurity has increased, many still gravitate toward certain roles, while technical fields remain male-dominated. A higher presence of women in technical positions would lead to greater recognition of their expertise, making their contributions valued across the industry.
Kelly Webber – Senior Manager
Q: What obstacles have you overcome in the Cyber/Application industry?
A: Women in technology often face challenges such as being outnumbered in meetings, struggling to be heard, or being dismissed as too emotional. I’ve learned that clear, fact-based communication is key—concise, logical, and assertive language ensures our voices are taken seriously. Another key strategy is leveraging the power of listening, a superpower we hold as women. Being attentive and thoughtful before responding helps build trust with colleagues and clients.
Sarah Nadwick – Senior Manager
Q: What unique attributes do women bring to the workplace?
A: From my experience of working with women in the workplace, the skill that they really bring is creating an environment of collaboration and inclusivity where people's voices are heard and appreciated. This brings more diverse thought to decision making and also leads to greater innovation.
Stephan Marneweck – Managing Consultant
Q: How has Turnkey differentiated itself in gender equality?
A: I’ve always been open about my sexuality, and in my first Turnkey interview, I mentioned my husband without hesitation. Later, I learned that my openness was seen as a positive. That meant a lot—it showed me that at Turnkey, people are accepted for who they are. Gender, identity, and background aren’t barriers here; what matters is talent and integrity.
Join us as we working together to celebrate and amplify women and other diverse voices in cybersecurity, ensuring they are heard and valued. Watch our video to bring these responses to life and hear directly from our team members this International Women’s Day.
