My Story: Cathie Jayakumar

By Cathie Jayakumar

I am a person who always refused to give up.

I am also the person who will always show up for everyone even if the path is difficult. This mindset has shaped how I am from a young age and continues to define my work today.

My deep passion for learning and my endless curiosity led me to work in higher education where I discovered the power of growth, creativity in developing my students’ potential and in transforming lives. I also witnessed how the increased use of digital platforms and applications, the great number of emerging technologies led to higher risks: identity theft, online abuse and exploitation, digital harm. Following an incident of cyberbullying, I made the decision to act rather than remain a bystander. I committed myself to strengthening online safety and protecting the digital identities of students and women who were increasingly exposed to these threats.

This purpose led me to join the security team of the university. After being hired by the head of Information Security, I took the opportunity to turn advocacy into action. I have dedicated my work to educating students and staff and chose to empower communities through cybersecurity, by providing everyone with the knowledge to protect their digital selves and become champions of cybersecurity and online safety. I am also building a detection platform within the incubator programme of the university to protect students and women better.

And this work has led me to think about two things: how can an institution such as a university increase its security posture and its resilience, and, how can I become the leader I always wanted, which is a leader who will put people’s safety first?

What defines my leadership style is effective foresight, integrity, empathy, active listening and the belief that everyone has the potential to grow, in a much safer environment. My journey has been about people, about creating safer digital spaces, giving individuals a voice, and ensuring that technology becomes a force multiplier for empowerment rather than harm.

I joined TechWomen4Boards because I truly believe in the power of women to lead the conversation around cybersecurity, online safety and digital trust at the highest level of leadership. Diversity of voices, thoughts and perspectives bring fresh thinking, courageous questions, and innovative solutions to some of the most complex challenges surrounding online trust and cyber resilience.

Looking ahead, I aspire in contributing as a C-level professional with operational presence, where security is seen as a strategic enabler guiding decisions related to technology, enhancing resilience and protecting people and critical assets. I hope to bring a legacy leading through uncertainty, overcoming hurdles, with the confidence that security governance, shared responsibility and building high performing and inclusive teams bring stability, inspire innovation, generate a lot of revenues and unlock opportunities for growth.

I am steadfastly committed in contributing to the TechWomen4Boards by growing the community, leading events and empowering the next generation of women. I am deeply honoured to be part of the Gala dinner in June, where we will all meet to celebrate our work, our achievements and where will get to know each other better for future collaborations.I am a person who always refused to give up.

I am also the person who will always show up for everyone even if the path is difficult. This mindset has shaped how I am from a young age and continues to define my work today.

My deep passion for learning and my endless curiosity led me to work in higher education where I discovered the power of growth, creativity in developing my students’ potential and in transforming lives. I also witnessed how the increased use of digital platforms and applications, the great number of emerging technologies led to higher risks: identity theft, online abuse and exploitation, digital harm. Following an incident of cyberbullying, I made the decision to act rather than remain a bystander. I committed myself to strengthening online safety and protecting the digital identities of students and women who were increasingly exposed to these threats.

This purpose led me to join the security team of the university. After being hired by the head of Information Security, I took the opportunity to turn advocacy into action. I have dedicated my work to educating students and staff and chose to empower communities through cybersecurity, by providing everyone with the knowledge to protect their digital selves and become champions of cybersecurity and online safety. I am also building a detection platform within the incubator programme of the university to protect students and women better.

And this work has led me to think about two things: how can an institution such as a university increase its security posture and its resilience, and, how can I become the leader I always wanted, which is a leader who will put people’s safety first?

What defines my leadership style is effective foresight, integrity, empathy, active listening and the belief that everyone has the potential to grow, in a much safer environment. My journey has been about people, about creating safer digital spaces, giving individuals a voice, and ensuring that technology becomes a force multiplier for empowerment rather than harm.

I joined TechWomen4Boards because I truly believe in the power of women to lead the conversation around cybersecurity, online safety and digital trust at the highest level of leadership. Diversity of voices, thoughts and perspectives bring fresh thinking, courageous questions, and innovative solutions to some of the most complex challenges surrounding online trust and cyber resilience.

Looking ahead, I aspire in contributing as a C-level professional with operational presence, where security is seen as a strategic enabler guiding decisions related to technology, enhancing resilience and protecting people and critical assets. I hope to bring a legacy leading through uncertainty, overcoming hurdles, with the confidence that security governance, shared responsibility and building high performing and inclusive teams bring stability, inspire innovation, generate a lot of revenues and unlock opportunities for growth.

I am steadfastly committed in contributing to the TechWomen4Boards by growing the community, leading events and empowering the next generation of women. I am deeply honoured to be part of the Gala dinner in June, where we will all meet to celebrate our work, our achievements and where will get to know each other better for future collaborations.