We’re thrilled to share that CoreStream GRC proudly took home two major wins at the Women in GRC Awards 2025, held on Thursday, 3rd July at the Pullman London St Pancras Hotel.
It was an unforgettable evening celebrating the achievements, resilience, and brilliance of women shaping the future of governance, risk, and compliance. The energy in the room was electric, filled with stories of innovation, courage, and community spirit, and we were honored to be a part of it.
Among the standout moments of the night, CoreStream GRC’s Alka Kumar was named GRC Rising Star of the Year: SME, and Sophie Lis was awarded GRC Innovator of the Year.
Celebrating our women in GRC winners
Alka Kumar, Head of Client Concepts at CoreStream GRC, was recognized for her remarkable impact on global GRC practices. With a decade of experience, she has led transformative implementations across diverse regulatory landscapes, empowering clients like PwC, Shell Energy, and more. A true champion of diversity and inclusion, Alka uses her voice as a woman of color to inspire equity, mentorship, and creative freedom in GRC. Her rapid delivery of complex solutions and commitment to community causes, such as Cancer Research UK and programming education, exemplify her dedication to making a meaningful difference.
Sophie Lis, Co-founder and Director of Compliance and Information Governance, received the Innovator of the Year award for her groundbreaking work merging cutting-edge technology with strategic compliance. Sophie was here at the very start of the CoreStream GRC platform, now used globally, and developed solutions that have streamlined processes and improved efficiency across organizations like the BBC and NHS. Her ability to set new industry standards and empower teams to proactively manage risk embodies true innovation.
Reflecting on their wins, Alka and Sophie shared:
“It’s inspirational and means the world to be recognized by such a prestigious body.”
Women in GRC Awards: a night of powerful messages
The night was not only about celebrating achievements but also about shining a light on the critical need for progress in the industry. In her keynote, Nikki Dowdall, Founder of the Women in GRC Awards, shared a sobering reality:
“Only 17% of Chief Risk Officers and only 14% of Chief Compliance Officers are women, despite women making up 50% of entry-level functions in GRC. These figures are disappointing, and totally unacceptable, but a call to action to everyone in this room. We can’t accept that as the norm, and I know as a group we won’t.”
The night was filled with heartfelt moments from trailblazing women who have paved the way for others. Kathryn Hollingworth, Chief Privacy Officer and 2024 Woman of the Year, reminded everyone of the power of support networks:
“During my career I’ve been really lucky with the level of support, like tonight, line managers, peers, colleagues, I wouldn’t have been standing up here last year without their support. The GRC network is invaluable to me to help me learn more and more each day, and bring this back to my team.”
This year’s Woman of the Year, Victoria Guilloit, Director of Digital Trust and Security at Capgemini Invent, shared her experiences and progression in her career to help inspire the audience:
“When I first started, cybersecurity was called IT. I was the lone voice, I was the awareness lady. My goodness how far we’ve come, and it’s been wonderful to be on this journey, and see all these brilliant women coming up and shining. It’s astonishing and I’m so proud to be here, and so grateful. My message to everyone here is: you can!”
A testament to CoreStream GRC’s values
At CoreStream GRC, these wins represent far more than awards. They are a testament to our dedication to fostering a culture where innovation, care, and inclusion thrive. We believe in empowering organizations to do what’s right, every day, and that starts with creating a workplace where diverse voices lead and inspire.
We are beyond proud of Kajal, Alka and Sophie for their extraordinary leadership and impact. We also celebrate every nominee and winner whose stories lit up the room last night and inspired a vision of a more equitable, empowered future for all.
Here’s to continuing to break barriers, and supporting one another: “to the women in GRC and the future we’re building together, cheers everybody!”
Frequently asked questions
CoreStream GRC proudly won two major honors: GRC Rising Star of the Year: SME awarded to Alka Kumar, and GRC Innovator of the Year awarded to Sophie Lis. Both were recognized for their leadership, innovation, and outstanding contributions to advancing governance, risk, and compliance (GRC).
Alka Kumar is CoreStream GRC’s Head of Client Concepts, is celebrated for driving global GRC innovation, implementing complex solutions for clients like PwC and Shell Energy, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Sophie Lis is CoreStream GRC’s Co-founder and Director of Compliance and Information Governance, was honored for her groundbreaking work integrating technology with compliance, helping major organizations like the BBC and NHS streamline risk management.
CoreStream GRC continues to champion female leadership through mentorship, sponsorship, and collaboration initiatives. The company actively supports the Women in GRC community and invests in creating an inclusive culture that empowers women to lead confidently in the compliance and technology sectors.
