Evgeniya Naumova: A Tech Queen, Empowering Growth & Innovation In It And Cybersecurity

Navigating systemic challenges, breaking glass ceilings, and inspiring the next generation of women leaders in Russia is, Evgeniya Naumova, a powerful force in the Russian tech and cybersecurity sectors. As the CEO, Global Sales Leadership at a cybersecurity branch in MTS Group, Evgeniya has redefined success, building and leading businesses from the ground up.

Starting her career in corporate IT sales, she quickly moved beyond just selling products and began crafting bespoke solutions for VIP clients. Her pivotal breakthrough came when she joined Kaspersky, where she drove exceptional growth, tripling the company's market share and increasing sales by 20 times in Russia. Evgeniya’s leadership at Kaspersky went beyond sales; she spearheaded a transformative shift in company culture, realigning teams and introducing data-driven strategies. She played an instrumental role in expanding Kaspersky’s presence globally, breaking records and winning over Fortune 500 companies. Her next challenge came when she became a member of the board of directors in New Cloud Technologies, a Kaspersky affiliate company, Evgeniya restructured the company, fostering a culture of aggressive growth and aligning departments towards a unified goal of billions-ruble revenues.

Later on, as a leader at a cybersecurity branch in MTS Group, Evgeniya has proven herself a visionary, building a top-tier cybersecurity team and driving revenue growth by 8.5x. She embodies reinvention and resilience, embracing change and leading teams to success in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Through her remarkable career, she continues to inspire future generations of leaders in Russia and beyond. Let’s read on.

Women in leadership should also actively share their experiences through knowledge transfer, masterclasses, & coaching, making it a leadership responsibility

Can you share the key areas of expertise you bring to company management and sales?

My expertise lies in company management, leadership, B2B/B2C sales, corporate culture development, and building high-performance teams. I don’t just drive companies; I create systems that make them unstoppable. I focus on scaling sales not just by volume but by understanding markets, anticipating shifts, and creating structures for long-term dominance. At Kaspersky, I achieved a 20x increase in enterprise sales in Russia and later scaled a telecom cybersecurity business 8.5x in revenue.

Building high-performing teams is essential. A strategy alone is worthless without a team to execute it. I prioritize recruiting, coaching, and scaling teams that break records. Data-driven approaches, including predictive analytics and AI-powered systems, ensure efficiency and high-value opportunities. As a strategic leader, I balance growth, risk, and long-term sustainability while aligning technology with business goals.

In cybersecurity, I lead teams to innovate, scale products & services and stay ahead of evolving threats in a high competitive environment. I also emphasize the role of M&A in driving growth and staying ahead of competitors. Throughout my career, I’ve led successful transformations, turning struggling operations into high-growth businesses, always thriving in the face of change.

What do you consider to be the most significant achievements in your professional career so far, and what’s your approach to leadership success?

The biggest milestones in my career have come from challenging the status quo and turning obstacles into growth opportunities. For instance, I transformed a cybersecurity business inside a top telecom provider, growing its revenue by 8.5x. At Kaspersky, I guided multinational teams to achieve record sales growth during the COVID crisis. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring talented individuals who’ve gone on to lead major business units or start their own ventures. I've also redefined corporate cultures to lay the groundwork for sustainable success. My leadership approach is straightforward: ‘Lead with vision, empower your team, and turn change into an opportunity.’

How do you stay aligned with the changing trends in the industry and technology?

To stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry, I make learning a part of my daily routine. I optimize time by combining activities wherever possible. I use AI-driven analytics to filter out key insights from vast information, focusing on what truly matters. Internally, I build personal think tanks made up of innovative minds at the forefront of technology. These thinkers engage with real business challenges, driving innovation. Staying plugged into industry leaders through M&A discussions and partnerships is also vital. I prioritize exchanging insights with experts. For me, staying ahead is a collective effort, involving everyone in the organization, empowering them to embrace tech awareness and constantly adapt.

How do you see the representation of women in leadership roles evolving in Russia’s business landscape? What steps can companies take to increase the number of women in leadership positions?

Change is occurring, but it’s too slow. Companies must take proactive steps to bring more women into leadership by implementing mentorship programs with personalized development plans. Leadership opportunities should be merit-based, ensuring women have clear pathways for growth. Women in leadership should also actively share their experiences through knowledge transfer, masterclasses, and coaching, making it a leadership responsibility. By committing to these changes, companies can ensure leadership is driven by talent, not gender.

You've had an impressive career leading billion-ruble IT and cybersecurity businesses. What prompted your decision to move away from the corporate world, and what are you focusing on now?

After years of thriving in high-intensity corporate leadership, scaling billion-ruble IT and cybersecurity businesses, I realized that while the journey was rewarding, it left little room for what truly mattered, health, personal growth, and creating something of my own. So, I decided to shift focus, not slow down. I’ve spent most of my career in B2B, but now I see enormous potential in B2C. With everything becoming hyper-personalized, I want to be at the forefront of that change, where impact is direct and immediate.

Now, with my brand Endemic, I focus on the next challenge - seamlessly integrate advanced technologies into health and wealth industries. Disruptive technologies, like AI and deep personalization, are at the heart of this transformation, and I'm excited to explore how they can revolutionize health and financial well-being.

Evgeniya Naumova, CEO, MTS Group

Evgeniya Naumova is a visionary leader in IT and cybersecurity with key competence in technology product development & sales strategy. With a proven track record of driving exponential growth, she has scaled billion-ruble businesses and led multinational teams. Currently, she focuses on health and wealth industries, leveraging disruptive technologies for personalized solutions.