In Nikki Dowdall’s keynote at the 2025 Women in GRC Awards, the Founder of the initiative, shared a challenge that resonates across governance, risk and compliance:
“Only 17% of Chief Risk Officers and 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 they’re also a call to action. We can’t accept that as the norm, and I know as a group we won’t.”
Nikki Dowdall, Founder of Women in GRC awards
It’s a call CoreStream GRC fully stands behind. As a company built on the belief that technology should be an enabler, not a barrier, we see the same principle applying to people and progress.
This is why we’re proud to announce our continued partnership with the Women in GRC Awards 2026, this time as a premium sponsor.
After witnessing the extraordinary impact of last year’s event, we’re taking our commitment to the next level; investing more deeply in the women and communities reshaping the future of GRC. Our partner company Axiom GRC will also be present throughout the event; a symbol of our shared dedication to progress, collaboration and change.
Celebrating women in GRC at #RISK Europe
We’re also delighted to announce that this year, our own Lucy Montague, Head of Marketing at CoreStream GRC, took the stage at #RISK Europe for the Women in GRC panel. Lucy was the panel moderator for the discussion that got to the heart of progress: how women are redefining leadership, culture, and inclusion across the industry.
She was joined by an exceptional lineup of voices:
- Claire Robson, Governance Director and Data Protection Officer, Chartered Insurance Institute
- Rebecca McLean, Commercial Risk Director, AXA Insurance
- Sharon Sharples, Director, Group Operational Risk & Risk Oversight Chief of Staff, Barclays
- Hana Zaman, Senior Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company
This conversation moved beyond acknowledging barriers to exploring how women are transforming workplaces, setting new standards of inclusion and redefining what leadership looks like in GRC. Attendees left with practical takeaways and a renewed commitment to advancing equity across the industry.
Why CoreStream GRC is backing the Women in GRC movement
The Women in GRC Awards represent more than recognition. They’re about celebration, elevation, and real dialogue. The event brings together a community that’s open, collaborative and ready to challenge barriers head-on.
It’s a space for:
- Networking with the women who are shaping the next generation of GRC leaders.
- Celebration of ethical, inclusive and innovative leadership.
- Open dialogue about the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in GRC.
In a sector that still faces deep structural imbalance, the awards have become a catalyst for transformation.
According to the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 2025, women account for only 22 % of global security-team employees, with just 5 % of organizations reporting gender parity and 16 % having none at all. These figures echo what we see across GRC, underrepresentation that limits innovation and diversity of thought.
The impact we saw at the 2025 Women in GRC awards
Last year’s Women in GRC Awards showed what’s possible when representation and dialogue meet action. The stories shared on stage became catalysts for mentorship, collaboration, and genuine change.
As the 2024 Woman of the Year captured it best reminding us that :
“I wouldn’t have been standing up here last year without support. The GRC network is invaluable to me.”
Kathryn Hollingworth, Head of RISC at UK Shared Business Services Ltd
That impact continues to inspire us.
Want to hear more about the 2025 Women in GRC Awards with CoreStream GRC?
The CoreStream GRC mission; when values align
While 45% of the global workforce is made up of women, but that falls as low as 25% in the tech space and even further to 15-20% in governance, risk and compliance.
This gap limits innovation and diversity of thought; two things CoreStream GRC believes are essential for good governance. This is why at CoreStream GRC, empowerment and equity are not side projects; they’re part of our DNA.
This is why at CoreStream GRC, empowerment and equity are not side projects; they’re part of our DNA.
Values list:
- We care – about our customers, community and colleagues.
- We challenge – outdated systems and barriers that hold people back.
- We flex – to different needs, perspectives and working styles.
- We simplify – complex challenges into actionable solutions.
- We deliver – measurable results and lasting impact.
By investing in initiatives like the Women in GRC Awards, we’re not just supporting events, we’re backing the kind of change our platform was built for: empowering people and creating space for progress.
Want to hear our story? Check it out →
Join us in shaping the future of GRC
The Women in GRC Awards are more than a celebration. They’re a reminder that leadership is evolving, and that equity and excellence go hand in hand.
If you know someone breaking barriers in GRC, nominate them when nominations open.
If you’re attending #RISK Europe, join us at Lucy’s panel and be part of the conversation shaping the future.
Frequently asked questions
The Women in GRC Awards celebrate outstanding women in governance, risk, and compliance who are driving inclusion, ethical leadership, and innovation across the industry. The event provides a platform to recognize achievements, share experiences, and inspire change in an evolving sector still working toward gender balance.
CoreStream GRC is proud to be a premium sponsor of the Women in GRC Awards 2026 because our mission aligns with the movement’s purpose: empowering people to do the right thing, every day. We believe technology should be an enabler, not a barrier, and that principle applies equally to how we support people and progress in the GRC community.
At #RISK Europe, CoreStream GRC’s Head of Marketing, Lucy Montague, will moderate the Women in GRC panel, featuring leaders from Barclays, AXA, the Chartered Insurance Institute, and McKinsey & Company. The discussion will explore how women are redefining leadership, inclusion, and culture across GRC, and what actionable steps organizations can take to close the gap.
Diverse teams bring stronger perspectives and better decision-making. Yet, women make up only 17% of Chief Risk Officers and 14% of Chief Compliance Officers, according to Women in GRC founder Nikki Dowdall. CoreStream GRC believes addressing this imbalance is essential to innovation, ethics, and long-term business resilience.
You can attend the event, nominate a trailblazer in GRC, or join the conversation at #RISK Europe. CoreStream GRC invites anyone passionate about building inclusive, ethical workplaces to connect with us or follow our updates to learn how to participate.
Our values; We care, We challenge, We flex, We simplify, We deliver, shape everything we do. We care about our customers, community, and colleagues; challenge outdated systems; flex to support different perspectives; simplify complexity; and deliver measurable results. Equity and empowerment aren’t side projects. They’re part of our DNA.
