MIWIC25: Anastasiia Ostrovska, co-founder & CEO Women’s Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Foundation (WLSIF) - IT Security Guru

Organised by Eskenzi PR in media partnership with the IT Security Guru, the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards aim to shed light on the remarkable women in our industry. The following is a feature on one of 2024’s Top 20 women selected by an esteemed panel of judges. Presented in a Q&A format, the nominee’s answers are written in their own words. In 2025, the awards were sponsored by BT, KnowBe4, Mimecast, Varonis, Bridewell, Certes, Pentest Tools and AI Dionic. Community partners included WiCyS UK & Ireland Affiliate, Women in Tech and Cybersecurity Hub (WiTCH), CyBlack and Inclusive InCyber (LT Harper). What does your job role entail? As the Co-founder & CEO of the WLSIF, I lead initiatives that empower women in leadership, innovation, cybersecurity, and strategic decision-making. My role includes developing and implementing programs, fostering international partnerships, advocating for gender inclusivity in cybersecurity, and driving strategic initiatives to enhance women’s representation in key industries. How did you get into the cybersecurity industry? Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I worked as an advisor to the Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. When the war reached my home, I realized that it was crucial to be where I could make the greatest impact – in the security and defense sector. I was invited to join the team of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center, where I focused on strengthening Ukraine’s cyber resilience. What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman in the tech/cyber industry and how did you overcome it? One of the biggest challenges has been breaking stereotypes and overcoming sexism in a traditionally male-dominated field. In cybersecurity, and especially in the security and defense sector, women often have to prove their expertise and leadership capabilities more than men. I overcame this by focusing on results—demonstrating strategic thinking, resilience, and the ability to lead complex projects in high-pressure environments. My work, alongside my dedication to strengthening Ukraine’s cyber resilience, has been helping shift perceptions and inspire more women to pursue leadership roles in this field. What are you doing to support other women, and/or to increase diversity, in the tech/cyber industry? To support women and increase diversity in cybersecurity, I founded the Women’s Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Foundation (WLSIF). Through WLSIF, I create projects and initiatives, such as leadership training, mentorship programs, strategic workshops, and advocacy campaigns. Recently, we launched the SheCyber Hub project—a monthly meetup series aimed at inspiring and supporting students who are pursuing cybersecurity careers. The project connects young girls with industry female leaders, shares practical insights, and fosters a supportive community of future cyber professionals. Additionally, as the owner of Ostrovska Consulting Agency, I organize some of Ukraine’s largest cybersecurity events, including the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum, where I consistently focus on involving more women as speakers and participants. Who has inspired you in your life/career?  Throughout my life and career, I have been inspired by strong, resilient women who are not afraid to challenge stereotypes and lead by example, especially during difficult times. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, I’ve been deeply inspired by Ukrainian women—leaders, volunteers, military personnel, cybersecurity specialists—who every day demonstrate courage, professionalism, and extraordinary resilience. Their bravery motivates me to move forward, innovate, and make impactful changes in cybersecurity and leadership.