As the Exclusive Cybersecurity Partner of Oracle Red Bull Racing, we’re proud to work with a partner that believes excellence isn’t just about results, but about impact.
1Password’s partnership with the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme showcases how excellence manifests in the form of a shared commitment to uplifting the next generation of women in motorsport, cybersecurity, and any other field they choose to pursue. From the paddock to the boardroom, these efforts reinforce a shared vision — one where women have the support, visibility, and opportunity to lead with confidence.
With two female co-founders and strong representation in the C-suite, including the Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer, and Chief Legal Officer, women lead from the front at 1Password.
“At 1Password, women don’t just have a seat at the table—they help shape it. Women hold influential leadership roles across the company, from co-founders to executive decision-makers. Inside our walls, our Women’s Employee Resource Group supports growth at every level—offering leadership development, community-building, access to networks like AnitaB.org, and volunteer opportunities with organizations like Rewriting the Code. Beyond our team, we’re helping shape a more inclusive future in tech and cybersecurity through our 1Password for Good program, supporting global and grassroots organizations like Women in Cybersecurity, Mamas for Mamas, Black Women’s Health Imperative, and the Global Fund for Women. This isn’t just about representation—it’s about building a future where more women lead, thrive, and belong,” said Katya Laviolette, Chief People Officer, 1Password.
Together, the organizations are helping to build more inclusive pathways by providing mentorship, tools, and support to young talent ready to lead in high-performance environments. As part of this mission, 1Password proudly supports rising star Alisha Palmowski, whose determination and ambition exemplify the spirit of progress.
Alisha’s excellence
After winning in Shanghai earlier this year, her first win in the F1® Academy, Alisha Palmowski embodies what community, perseverance, and self-belief can achieve: conquering your goals while doing it your way.
In an interview with the New York Times last year, when asked about being a role model for the next generation of women in racing, Alisha Palmowski had this to say:
“When I was sort of five to six years old, I didn’t think I could be a racing driver, and I can’t say I was sad about that. I just didn’t realize that motorsport was an avenue that was open to me…[W]hereas now I think, with F1 Academy and the next generation of five to six-year-olds, now, when they turn the TV on, they see all this female representation, which is just absolutely incredible, and it should stop them being in the same position that I was in, and they can realize that motorsport is an avenue that they can go down, should they want to.”
That said, to accomplish anything you set out to achieve, you need the right tools to get the job done. Just as Alisha’s car gets her across the finish line, Alisha safeguards her digital life with 1Password (and you can too). 1Password ensures that her most sensitive personal information — credentials, credit cards, and private race notes — remains secure and accessible wherever she goes, including this weekend in Montreal.
As Alisha readies to race the Canadian Grand Prix, inspiring a new generation to win on and off the track, in technology, business, and beyond, the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme and 1Password have proudly commissioned a bespoke livery that will adorn Alisha Palmowski’s car during the race weekend.
To learn more about the bespoke livery, let’s dive into what put this special design into motion.
A livery designed to inspire
When it came to the car’s design, we required someone who knew how to bring their creativity to such a unique canvas. That’s why 1Password and the Oracle Red Bull Racing brand teams partnered with Canadian muralist Kirsten McCrea, entrusting her with the creative lead to approach this livery as a conduit for storytelling that’s dynamic, powerful, and designed to reflect movement and growth.
Kirsten McCrea, who built her career in the male-dominated worlds of muralism and street art, drew inspiration from Alisha’s rise through the ranks of professional racing, said:
“An all-woman team is rare. I know what it takes to break into spaces where you weren’t expected to be, and I wanted the design to reflect that. Not as a soft or symbolic gesture, but as something strong, graphic, and unapologetic.”
The one-of-a-kind livery is a celebration of Red Bull Racing’s iconic branding and a new opportunity to represent and redefine what it means to be part of the Red Bull family. Rooted in Canadian identity, let’s introduce each element of the livery design and its meaning:
- A palette of red for Canada and blue for Quebec.
- A pattern of stylized dandelion seeds in motion, with each seed symbolizing ambition and ideas taking flight, drawing inspiration from the iconic Expo 67 logo and capturing the spirit of Canada’s celebration of innovation and progress.
- Ripples emanating from the back wheel represent how one woman’s impact can carry outward, creating space and opportunity for others to follow.
It’s not just a design—it’s a declaration: ambition belongs here. And here it is, in its full glory.
For a deeper dive into the story behind the bespoke livery design, read this blog.
Celebrating the moment
The unveiling of the bespoke livery by 1Password and the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme transformed Ricarda’s Atrium in downtown Toronto into a celebration of creativity, performance, and purpose.
Before the actual unveiling, the spotlight turned to a panel of women leaders who shared powerful reflections on ambition, resilience, and the future of sport and technology.
Panel of female excellence
Moderated by 1Password COO Jeannie De Guzman, the panel featured the following women who exemplify female excellence:
- Alisha Palmowski is a Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme driver competing in the 2025 F1® Academy season.
- Eva Wong is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Borrowell, a Canadian fintech company that helps people make smarter financial decisions.
- Sarah Harrington is the Programme Manager for Red Bull-affiliated drivers in F1® Academy.
- Anna Pobletts is the Engineering Director of Identity at 1Password, where she leads the development of passkey authentication for businesses and individuals. Previously, she was the co-founder and CTO of Passage Identity, a developer-first passwordless authentication company acquired by 1Password in 2022.
To open the panel, Jeannie De Guzman took a moment to highlight how motorsport and cybersecurity are more alike than people may believe:
“This event is meaningful to all of us. On the surface, motorsport and cybersecurity may seem unrelated, but men have historically dominated both industries. That’s why it’s powerful to see two high-performing teams come together to help close that gap. Sharing that progress here in Toronto makes it even more special — for me and our company."
When asked about the idea of an “ah-ha” moment — the moment where something just clicks, and then you can’t imagine your life without it — whether about the vocation they chose or an idea they had that felt just right, Alisha Palmowski had this to say:
“The first time I sat in a go-kart, I felt a sense of freedom — like I could achieve anything. It was up to me to make myself proud and to show what I was capable of. That moment hooked me instantly, and that feeling has stayed with me throughout my entire career."
Eva Wong then reflected on her delayed “ah-ha” moments:
“In the moment, you don’t always realize it. There’s what we call type one and type two fun — type one is fun while it’s happening, like driving a race car. Type two is harder in the moment, but when you look back, you realize just how rewarding it was. That’s when it clicks, and you know it was worth it."
The panelists were then asked what unique perspectives, advantages, or, most crucially, what strengths others may see as weaknesses women bring to high-stakes environments like cybersecurity, technology, or racing.
Anna Pobletts reflected on her leadership style as a source of strength:
“I had to learn how to lead not because of a title, but by building trust, communicating clearly, and following through. That taught me how to lead through influence, so that by the time I did have the title, I already had the skills I needed to lead effectively."
Alicia Palmowski followed up by sharing her experience:
“People often assume women are more emotional, but one of my strengths is knowing how to manage mine. When I’m in the car, I feel completely focused, almost emotionless, until I cross the finish line. Even if something goes wrong at the start or I need to fight my way back, I stay calm and in control. For me, the emotion comes after the checkered flag."
Sarah Harrington then reminded the crowd that not forgetting about humanity is a strength in motorsport:
“I see my role as looking after the human component in racing. Formula 1® is incredibly data-driven, but at the end of the day, there is still a person behind the wheel."
Finally, in fields where multiple things are being juggled and decisions must be made quickly, the panelists were asked about how they find clarity in times of chaos.
Anna Pobletts closed out the panel with some poignant advice:
“I’ve had to create a kind of personal rubric to decide whether a problem really matters. I’ll ask myself questions like, what happens if we do nothing? Will this have a lasting impact, or will it fade away? Sometimes, stepping away helps bring clarity — whether it’s going for a walk or doing something completely different. It helps reset my thinking and reconnect with the bigger picture."
Inside the Toronto reveal event
Throughout the evening, anticipation continued to build, culminating in a visceral reveal moment. When Alisha and Kirsten lifted the cover from the car, the excitement in the room was electric. The audience experienced a genuinely authentic and unforgettable moment in a setting as special as the occasion itself.
Throughout the evening, leaders from Canadian sport, tech, and design communities mingled with guests, their conversations echoing the themes of innovation and ambition that defined the livery and the partnership behind it.
Fans were also central to the celebration, with many having taken part in the joint 1Password and Red Bull Pepe Jeans Academy Programme global “Crack the Code” activation that offered winners the chance to attend the Canadian Grand Prix, a free trial of 1Password, and witness the livery’s on-track debut in Montreal.
The panel and the reveal brought together compelling stories, powerful messages, a shared purpose, and a celebration of excellence in every form, setting the stage for what promises to be a defining moment for the partnership at the Canadian Grand Prix.
What’s Next
This partnership is only gaining momentum. Fans and followers can look forward to more events, activations, and stories that highlight how innovation and ambition come together both on and off the track.
As Jeannie De Guzman, Chief Operating Officer at 1Password, put it, “Every champion starts with a dream and the courage to chase it. At 1Password, we stand with those building the future with passion, purpose, and resilience.”
We can’t wait to see what Alisha accomplishes this weekend on the track; she’ll be racing in style, that is for sure.
To learn more about the Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans Academy Programme and the broader partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing, visit the official partnership page.
Kenny Najarro
Content Marketing Manager
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