Out in National Security and New America have named MITRE’s Willow G. Woycke, principal cybersecurity engineer, to the 2023 Out Leaders List. The list honors the contributions of more than 40 LGBTQIA+ experts in U.S. national security and foreign policy.
It also celebrates the contributions of experts now serving in government, the military, think tanks, academia, and non-governmental organizations to advancing peace and security in the U.S. and abroad.
Honorees have “demonstrated so much character, resilience, determination to live authentically in a field that is not always welcoming or inclusive,” the announcement reads.
President Joseph Biden celebrated the leaders and their achievements: “We honor a movement that has grown stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive with every passing year. Pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people, who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom.”
Woycke has worked in what is now cybersecurity since it was an emerging field. Her experience spans trusted operating system development, network security, firewalls, identity and access management, cross-domain solutions, and more.
In 33 years at MITRE, she has focused on national security and civilian organizations. Learn more about Woycke’s experience at MITRE and about the 2023 Out Leaders List, including her profile.