The third cohort of the HER WAKA series continues with a session focused on cybersecurity. Participants will hear from three industry experts through short lightning talks, each sharing a unique perspective and experience in the cybersecurity space. This is an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the field, the different pathways into it, and the real-world challenges and opportunities it presents.In the second half of the session, participants will take part in a 45-minute recruiter networking activity with RCSA representatives. There will be 2–3 tables set up where small groups can connect directly with recruiters, ask questions, and practise real-world conversations in a supportive environment.
Three cybersecurity lightning talks from senior professionals — including business analysis, AI/cyber consultancy, and agile transformation perspectives
A 45-minute RCSA recruiter networking activity — small-group rotations with multiple recruiters
A grounded view of cybersecurity career pathways and the in-demand skills shaping safer digital workplaces
Prasanth Pavithran works at the intersection of business architecture, transformation, people, and technology. With an MBA and over two decades of global experience, he serves as Senior Business Analyst in the Office of the CTO at Auckland University of Technology, mapping the relationships between strategy, capability, process, and technology. Before AUT he led a business analysis team at healthAlliance and spent nearly a decade at HCL Technologies delivering large-scale SAP programmes. He has been mentoring with SheSharp since 2017.
Paula Gair advises, teaches and assesses Master’s students at Tech Futures Lab on multiple aspects of emerging and disruptive technology — including AI, cybersecurity, privacy, and embedding Security and Privacy by Design. As founder of deriskme, she works with families, SMEs, schools and businesses on practical cyber security, online safety, and privacy. A frequent speaker and commentator on privacy, cyber security, online safety and emerging technology, Paula advocates for safer defaults and nudges that improve outcomes for everyone, and is passionate about seeing more girls study STEAM and more women found tech companies.
Swapna Soni is a Transformation Strategist with 8+ years of experience designing and delivering enterprise-wide change across public and private sectors in New Zealand. She currently serves as Agility Coach at NZ Post, with prior roles at Air New Zealand, Vodafone, and the Ministry of Social Development. Her work spans value-stream-led delivery models, agility-maturity uplift and ADKAR-based change strategies. Swapna brings curiosity, structure and care to help organisations reimagine their operating models and deliver change that sticks.
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Prasanth Pavithran
Senior Business Analyst, Office of the CTO at AUT. MBA, 20+ years global experience. SheSharp mentor since 2017.
Paula Gair
Founder of deriskme. Educator at Tech Futures Lab. AI, cybersecurity, privacy and online safety advisor.
Swapna Soni
Agility Coach at NZ Post. Transformation Strategist with 8+ years across NZ public and private sectors.
Multiple RCSA recruiters join the second half for a 45-minute networking activity, sharing insights into the current job market and offering practical guidance for jobseekers.
