The Vanta 25 to Trust: Nominations are now open

Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of The Vanta 25 to Trust Awards—a new awards program that honors 25 standout professionals shaping the future of GRC and security. 

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And we want your help finding the people most deserving of this honor. 

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As of today, nominations for the inaugural class of The Vanta 25 to Trust are officially open (nomination form below)  

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Read on to learn more about the judging criteria, award categories, and how to nominate yourself—or someone you know—to be part of The Vanta 25 to Trust. 

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What is The Vanta 25 to Trust?

The Vanta 25 to Trust celebrates 25 exceptional individuals who set a new standard for excellence in GRC and security. This carefully curated list will be selected by a panel of expert judges based on judging criteria emphasizing measurable achievements, innovation, and leadership. Nominations will be sourced both internally by Vanta teams and externally from the broader security community to ensure a diverse and impactful pool of candidates.

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In addition to recognizing individuals making measurable impacts, The Vanta 25 to Trust shines a spotlight on bold ideas and fresh approaches shaping the future of the industry. By fostering connections among innovators and changemakers, this program strengthens the GRC and security ecosystem, inspiring collaboration and progress.

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What are the award categories?

The Vanta 25 to Trust program highlights leadership, innovation, and impact across five key categories:

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• Expansion in Trust Award: Practitioners who have successfully led the expansion of their organization’s GRC program, leveraging multiple products to achieve scalable security, compliance, and operational excellence. This award recognizes leaders who have navigated complex challenges to drive impactful results across their teams and organizations.
• Leadership in Trust Award: Practitioners who demonstrate exceptional leadership in fostering trust and embedding a strong security culture within their organizations and communities. This award recognizes those who actively engage with webinars, advisory boards, or advocacy programs—and who make a measurable impact through transparency efforts, mentorship, and promoting ethical practices in GRC and security.
• Innovation in Trust Award: Practitioners who have transformed their organization’s GRC and security programs through creative problem-solving and bold initiatives. This award celebrates leaders who have redefined processes and achieved impactful outcomes with fresh, forward-thinking solutions that inspire change within their teams and the broader community.
• Transparency in Trust Award: Practitioners who have driven transparency and trust-building within their organizations by creating standout Trust Centers that exemplify accessibility and innovation. This award recognizes leaders who set the gold standard for public accountability and communication, inspiring confidence in their organization’s security and compliance practices.
• Global Excellence in Trust Award: Practitioners who have successfully led their organizations through the complexities of international frameworks like DORA, the EU AI Act, or ISO certifications. This award highlights leaders who demonstrate adaptability, vision, and outstanding leadership on the global stage, driving trust and security across diverse markets.

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Five honorees will be chosen from each category to represent the 25 best leaders and creative thinkers succeeding in today’s fast-moving security and compliance landscape.

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How to submit a nomination

Nominations are officially open. Whether you want to nominate yourself, a colleague, or another individual you admire in the space, the process is simple:

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1. Review the nomination form below. 
2. Select a category and share additional details about the nominee’s achievements: Tell us how the nominee is leading the way in GRC and security with specific examples.
3. Submit your nomination: The call for entries closes on February 3 at 11:59pm PT.

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Who are the judges?

Winners will be carefully selected by a group of expert judges:

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• Jason Chan, former VP of Information Security at Netflix: Jason built and led Netflix’s information security team for over a decade, driving innovations in risk management, compliance strategies, and cloud security. His team contributed over 30 open-source security tools and delivered numerous conference presentations, earning recognition across the security community. 
• David Rosenthal, Co-Founder and Co-Host of the Acquired podcast: David Rosenthal is the cofounder and cohost of the Acquired podcast, which tells longform stories of the world’s greatest companies from LVMH to Nvidia to The NFL. Acquired is often ranked the #1 Technology podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and has over a million listeners worldwide.
• Jadee Hanson, CISO at Vanta: Jadee leads Vanta’s security and information technology program overseeing IT, Security Engineering, Security Operations, Governance, Risk, and Compliance. With over 20 years of experience, she has held leadership roles at Code42 and Target, specializing in risk management and security product innovation.

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Our judges will review nominations and select winners based on measurable achievements, innovation, and leadership, as reflected in the nomination forms—not just a job title or corporate affiliation. 

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When will Vanta announce the winners?

Winners will be revealed on our awards website on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

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Between February 19–23, 2025, winners will be notified and asked to confirm their participation. During this time, they’ll provide key information, including bios, headshots, and any additional materials needed to celebrate their achievements.

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In addition to recognition across Vanta’s website, social media, and email newsletters, winners will receive:

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• A shareable LinkedIn badge to showcase their achievement.
• Invitations to exclusive opportunities like VantaCon and our Advisory Boards.
• A complimentary remote headshot experience to elevate their professional presence.
• An exclusive gift box to celebrate their recognition.

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Nominate a security practitioner today

Together, let’s make The Vanta 25 to Trust a celebration of community members who raise the bar for trust, security, and compliance. Submit your nomination form below. If you have any questions about this program or the nomination process, please email 25totrust@vanta.com. 

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Official rules shared here.