Women of CyberArk: Meital Koren

“One of the things I love most about CyberArk is that there’s always room to grow here,” shared Meital Koren , SVP, Legal. “We’re always changing, evolving and growing. No day is like the day before, and no year is like the year before. There is always something happening, and that’s why I love my work; I thrive on that constant challenge and change and flourish in those kinds of high-pressure situations.”

With her problem-solving mindset, it’s no surprise Meital, who is based in our Petah Tikva office, feels right at home in the fast-paced legal world. In her current role, she advises on corporate law (including governance, Board interactions, and financing – “all the classic corporate legal stuff,” as Meital describes it). She leads the corporate compliance program to uphold ethical and regulatory standards. Meital also partners with Human Resources on employment law, benefits, and equity plans.   

“Meital exemplifies what's possible when curiosity, empathy and dedication intersect,” said Donna Rahav, Chief Legal Officer. “She joined us at an entry-level position and has transformed into a senior leader by building deep relationships across every level of the organization and learning all that she could about our business and corporate environment. Her impact on our corporate governance strategy has been transformational, with our approach now setting a high bar and serving as a role model for other Israeli companies.”   

What do we need to do, and how can we do it?  

Supporting these high-impact areas often comes with pressure, tight timelines, and multiple stakeholders, so how does Meital stay grounded and focused? 

“Whenever a situation needs to be addressed, I block out the ‘background noise’ and focus on the tasks at hand. My approach is to break down the problem and ask: What do we need to do, and how can we do it? It’s easy to identify a problem, but it’s more difficult to analyze it and make a recommendation, especially when that decision involves risk. My willingness to make informed decisions and take calculated risks has really helped me in my role,” said Meital.  

Collaborating with peers and cross-functional teams is also essential to both her team’s and CyberArk’s success. “I want Legal to be viewed as a credible, committed, and solution-oriented partner,” said Meital. To facilitate this, she works to ensure that any risk discussions are approached collaboratively, promoting trust and shared problem-solving.   

“I like to say that I speak in question marks, not periods. I ask questions to prompt a discussion of risks and alternatives, rather than issuing directives. I come from a place of curiosity and problem-solving to collaborate with the team on a solution that will be successful,” shared Meital.   

That commitment to understanding and collaboration has greatly contributed to her success at CyberArk.  

“What sets Meital apart is her rare combination of intellectual humility – she treats every conversation as a learning opportunity – and quiet influence,” said Donna. “People seek her counsel because she listens without judgment and consistently puts our collective success ahead of personal agenda. But more than anything, it's her collaboration and generosity that create lasting change and help elevate us all: Meital proves that leadership isn't about having the loudest voice in the room but rather having the wisdom to help others find theirs. I cannot thank Meital enough for everything I have learned from her.”  

Embracing trust and teamwork

Meital's strategy of “speaking in question marks” hasn’t just led to collaborative work relationships – it’s also contributed to her own career growth.  

“A lot of the opportunities I’ve had, or the projects I’ve gotten involved in, happened not because someone formally invited me, but because I showed interest,” explained Meital. “For any woman beginning her career at CyberArk – or cybersecurity in general – I would recommend they ask questions and be curious. You never know what you’ll learn.”  

Since joining CyberArk in 2015, Meital has played a key role in several major initiatives—including leading our recent convertible notes offering and supporting the Venafi and Zilla Security acquisitions, as well as CyberArk's pending acquisition by Palo Alto Networks. She’s also proud to have helped our team launch CyberArk’s ESG program, which she now helps guide as an ESG Committee member. “My involvement with the ESG program is personally meaningful,” Meital shared. “I’m proud to show the world we walk the walk as good corporate citizens.”   

Meital says her growth would not have been possible without Donna Rahav’s support. “During my interview, I thought, ‘I need to work with this woman,’” said Meital with a laugh. “After I was hired, I would sit at her desk and learn from her. Donna gave me the freedom and latitude to do my work and stepped in to provide guidance when needed. She ensured I received exposure to senior management and our Board of Directors very early in my CyberArk journey. Not many executives would let a junior employee have time with the Board – but Donna did. She trusted me and wanted me to grow. That was huge.”  

Meital also appreciates her team and colleagues’ support, saying that her Legal colleagues “one of the best teams I’ve worked with. My role is a bit unique within the team, touching multiple areas.  I will frequently pop into a colleague’s office to brainstorm, and everyone is always willing to go through the problem with me to think through a solution. It’s just the culture here.”  

“I think it’s important to work with people whose strengths complement yours,” continued Meital. “None of us is a superwoman and you don’t have to be amazing at everything. Believe it or not, I consider myself the least organized person in the world! But I’ve surrounded myself with a great group of people, and we lift each other up.”  

Remembering to pause

Meital has a small sign in her office that says Just Breathe, reminding her to pause and take a step back when things feel chaotic. It’s a mindset she carries with her beyond the office, embracing calm and perspective in both work and life.    “I love going to the beach to relax and breathe, especially in the winter. The beach is quiet.  I’ll go out there, watch the waves, feel the wind on my face, and it centers me. It helps put things in perspective,” said Meital.  

Family is also a priority for Meital, who enjoys spending time with her husband, young daughter, and their dog. When asked what lesson she hopes to pass on, Meital says it’s the belief that, despite life’s challenges, her daughter is the author of her own story.  

“There’s a saying I love that I shared with my daughter: ‘The water that sinks a ship isn’t the water around it; it’s the water that gets inside it.’ The world can throw a lot at you, but it can only hurt you if you believe it. I want my daughter to know her own worth and not let others define her. If she does that, she will succeed.”