This November, WiS-KC members will be electing new Vice President, Membership, Events, and Secretary chairs to execute their individual duties and serve on the leadership board for two years (Vice President serves as President the second year of their term).
Members are considered to be "in good standing" if they have attended a chapter meeting in the last six months and are eligible to vote. We will hold online voting and in-person voting in November.
Online voting will begin on November 14th and end at 11:59pm November 16th.
Candidate Interest Submission Deadline is now closed!
In-person voting will take place at our November 17th meeting!
2025 Election Candidate Biographies
Mary Cloe
Running for Vice President
About the Candidate
With over two decades of experience in information security, I have built my career around empowering people and strengthening security culture from the inside out. As the former leader of the global training and awareness program at H&R Block, I had the privilege of equipping over 90,000 associates worldwide with the tools and confidence needed to protect our clients and brand. I led with purpose and passion—always striving to make cybersecurity relatable and inspiring to every individual, regardless of their technical background.
In 2023, I co-founded the Blockonic Cyber Conference, an event created with the simple but powerful mission of giving back to the cyber community. What began as a shared dream turned into a highly anticipated gathering where experts from across the industry connect, collaborate, and uplift one another.
My journey in this field has always been driven by heart. I believe in leading with empathy, addressing human risk through education, and forging spaces where diverse voices can be heard and empowered. As VP, I hope to continue that work by connecting women in security to the support, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve.
Pallavi Phutane
Running for Membership Chair
About the Candidate
Pallavi Phutane is an accomplished Information Security professional with over 11 years of experience at leading global firs including KPMG, DXC Technology, and Accenture, spanning IT and cybersecurity. Her career began in software engineering, where she developed a strong technical foundation before pivoting to cybersecurity—a move that fueled her passion for security, risk management, privacy and compliance.
She holds a Master’s degree in Information Security and is certified as a CISSP and CIPM. Her professional experience includes cybersecurity and privacy assessments, risk management, and security governance for complex enterprise environments across sectors such as healthcare, technology, retail, energy, and government, working with clients across industry verticals.
Beyond her professional achievements, Pallavi is deeply committed to advancing the security profession and creating opportunities for others. She has served as a board member with ISACA and has moderated panel discussions with industry experts on cybersecurity careers, trends, and professional growth. Passionate about inclusivity and empowering women in security, she is dedicated to strengthening the community and shaping a more diverse and resilient future for the industry.
Why I’m interested:
I am passionate about contributing to the Women in Security Committee’s mission of empowering and supporting women in our profession. The Membership role particularly appeals to me as it focuses on building community, recruiting new members, and fostering engagement—areas where I can contribute meaningfully. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated strong communication, outreach, and relationship-building skills, which I believe will help expand our network and ensure members feel supported and connected. Serving in this capacity will allow me to give back to the community, strengthen inclusivity, and help grow the collective voice and impact of women in security.
Zaria Noronha
Running for Membership Chair
About the Candidate
I want to take on the Membership role for Women in Security- Kansas City because I care about helping women feel seen, supported, and connected in this industry. As an International Systems Trainer and Arcade installer in IT, I meet people from all backgrounds and levels of experience. I understand how important community is, especially for women working in male-dominated spaces. I enjoy building relationships and helping others grow. Membership is the heart of this organization, and I would love to contribute by welcoming more women into the group, supporting their involvement, and making sure they feel empowered to show up fully. I want to help expand our reach, strengthen engagement, and create opportunities that make every member feel like they belong and bring value!
Richa Pathak
Running for Events and Vendor Relations (EVR) Chair
About the Candidate
I am a GRC Product Lead at Mars Inc. with over a decade of experience in the IT Industry, including Cybersecurity, Governance, and Compliance. My work focuses on driving process improvements, implementing innovative security solutions, and fostering collaboration across teams to strengthen organizational resilience.
I am keen to apply for the Event Coordinator 2026 role because I am passionate about empowering women in cybersecurity and creating spaces that encourage knowledge sharing, mentorship, and growth. This opportunity aligns perfectly with my values of community building, inclusion, and professional development. My LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa-pathak-5013213a/
Nichole Windholz
Running for Secretary Chair
About the Candidate
Nichole Windholz is a distinguished Cybersecurity Leader, whose career spans over two decades in the technology and cybersecurity arena. Nichole's journey began with hands-on technical roles, evolving into leadership positions such as Senior Technology Architect, Director of Cybersecurity, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). As a Cybersecurity Leader, she has meticulously formulated robust security strategies for global organizations, placing a premium on proactive risk management and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in cybersecurity resilience. Driven by a commitment to Incident Response, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Security Awareness, she excels in these critical domains, ensuring organizations are well-prepared to address and mitigate emerging threats.
Nichole is dedicated to knowledge sharing and mentoring emerging talents, embodying a commitment to community growth as a founding member of Women in Security - KC, and President of ISSA-KC. She holds multiple professional certifications such as a CISSP, CISM, PMP, and ITIL. Nichole envisions a future where organizations effortlessly embed security into their digital DNA, empowering teams to proactively defend against cyber threats and embrace cybersecurity as a strategic enabler rather than a reactive necessity.
