The Cyber Guild Announces 2026 Leadership Recognition Awards Honorees

Recognizing leadership. Building community. Investing in the future.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Cyber Guild, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to building a sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem, today announced the honorees of its sixth annual Leadership Recognition Awards.

The awards recognize leaders whose service, innovation and impact are shaping a more secure and resilient digital future. This year’s honorees span national security, software safety, technical innovation, public-private collaboration, entrepreneurship and workforce development, reflecting the interconnected leadership and expertise needed to meet today’s most consequential cyber challenges. Their work reinforces that a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem is built not only on technology, but on the people, partnerships and collective leadership that turn progress into impact.

“Cybersecurity is a team sport. At The Cyber Guild, we know that community counts. Safeguarding our families, communities and nations requires leaders who bring people together, share knowledge and invest in the talent shaping our future,” said Debbie Sallis, Executive Director of The Cyber Guild. “Honorees are mission-led leaders who put that commitment into action every day, strengthening our community and building a more secure digital future.”

The 2026 Cyber Guild Leadership Recognition Award honorees are:

• Ambassador – Rob Joyce, Founder, Joyce Cyber LLC and Former NSA Director of Cybersecurity: A nationally recognized cybersecurity leader whose decades of public service have helped shape U.S. cyber defense, policy and operations and influence decision-makers across government and industry.
• Ambassador – Cyndi Gula, Managing Partner, Gula Tech Adventures: A cybersecurity entrepreneur, investor and advocate who has helped build and support the companies, nonprofits and leaders advancing the cyber ecosystem.
• Changemaker – Lauren Zabierek, Co-Founder, Software Safety Institute: An innovator working to change how the technology industry approaches software security, including helping lead the Secure by Design movement and advancing greater accountability for building safer technology.
• Guardian – Dr. Georgianna “George” Shea, Chief Technologist and Senior Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies: A cybersecurity leader bringing together technical innovation, research and collaboration to strengthen national resilience and address emerging security challenges.
• Rising Leader – Meredith Wallace, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Operations Policy, U.S. Department of War: An emerging national security leader recognized for her contributions to cyber policy, operations and strategy and her commitment to strengthening U.S. cybersecurity.
• Champion – Philip Niedermair, Chairman of the Advisory Board, Technology Advancement Center: A longtime cybersecurity and national security leader who has built partnerships across government, industry and academia to advance innovation and strengthen the cyber workforce.

Leidos, a Founding Benefactor of The Cyber Guild Foundation, will receive the Legacy Builder recognition. This recognition is conferred by exception to acknowledge exceptional, sustained contributions that help advance The Cyber Guild's mission, strengthen its community and build a lasting foundation for future impact.

“As the cyber landscape continues to evolve, technology is only part of the equation. Our nation depends on talented professionals with the technical expertise, leadership and curiosity to stay ahead of emerging threats,” said Jason O’Connor, President, Leidos Intelligence. “That’s why we’re proud to support The Cyber Guild’s work to strengthen our cyber workforce, develop technical talent and amplify the voices of cyber leaders.”

Awardees are nominated from across The Cyber Guild leadership community and selected through a peer-driven process by a panel of distinguished Cyber Guild luminaries and leaders.

The honorees will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on October 8, 2026, at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia. The Leadership Recognition Awards will take place following The Cyber Guild’s annual Uniting Women in Cyber event, which brings together cybersecurity leaders, practitioners, students and allies to advance leadership, innovation and inclusion across the cybersecurity workforce.

To learn more about the 2026 Leadership Recognition Awards, UWIC 2026 and The Cyber Guild, please visit thecyberguild.org.

About The Cyber Guild

The Cyber Guild Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to empowering the future of cybersecurity. Through events, education, mentorship and community building, The Cyber Guild brings together leaders across cybersecurity, technology, government and industry to strengthen the people, partnerships and capabilities needed for a more secure digital future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260930730122/en/

Media Contact
Mike Atkinson
[email protected]

Source: The Cyber Guild

You May Also Be Interested In

• Adicet Bio Reports Inducement Grant under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
• Internet Society Launches Global Online Trust and Safety Hub as Part of Its Safer Internet Initiative
• [Crypto News Today] Apeing’s Crypto Presale Sold Almost 500M Tokens at $0.0006 with $112K Raised, While ETH Holds at $2,672