Heather Rim believes the most meaningful leadership happens when others are empowered to lead too. Now Chief Marketing Officer at Optiv, a leading cybersecurity solutions provider, Rim is widely recognized for building brands that drive results and for her steadfast commitment to advocacy. At Optiv, she leads marketing and communications strategy while also serving as executive sponsor of both the firm’s ESG program and the Optiv Women’s Network. What she’s best known for is her drive to mentor and champion the next generation especially women and for her deep belief that success should be shared. “Take the call. Make the introduction. Offer support,” she wrote recently. “None of us get to where we are alone.”
Born and raised in California, Rim holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Azusa Pacific University and a master’s degree in communication management from the University of Southern California. Before joining Optiv, she held leadership roles at AECOM, Avery Dennison, The Walt Disney Company, and WellPoint. At Optiv, Rim focuses on accelerating brand visibility, generating demand, and deepening stakeholder engagement across the board. She also plays a key role in aligning the company’s marketing efforts with broader business goals and cultural initiatives.
Rim’s career has been shaped by remarkable mentors, many of them women who offered her early opportunities to lead, supported her strategic thinking, and helped her understand the importance of writing, storytelling, and business literacy. That influence began at home, where her mother and grandmother instilled the foundations of leadership and financial understanding, right down to gifting her a Wendy’s stock. Her dedication to service extends well beyond the boardroom. Rim is a board member and past president of the Downtown Women’s Center in Los Angeles, and she sits on multiple advisory boards supporting communications and public relations. Whether she’s guiding a Fortune 500 team or mentoring a young marketer, Rim is clear on her mission: to lead with intention and make space for others to rise.