Paul Paget Named MTLC CEO of the Year

We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Paul Paget has been named CEO of the Year for a Growth Stage company by the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council at its annual MTLC Leadership Awards. The MTLC Leadership awards recognize companies, leaders, and technologies that have made a significant impact over the last year across 14 categories.  Winners and finalists were selected by a panel of industry peers based on nominations.

In his sixth year as CEO at Black Kite, Paul Paget continues to lead our organization through continuous and unprecedented growth. It is through his authentic leadership, accessibility, and commitment to team development that the company leads the market in bringing innovative progress to the third party cyber risk space.

In addition to his firm belief that a successful business must solve real problems with real solutions, Paul also consistently holds that people who feel supported, accepted, and recognized by their peers will bring their best work to the table. As much as he cares about business outcomes, he feels his greatest accomplishment is building an environment where employees can achieve all their goals, both professionally and personally, and know the team is behind them in all arenas.

“Paul has taught me how to lead with both authority and respect,” said Jessica Stanford, CMO, Black Kite.  “He has shown me how powerful it is when leaders influence outcomes without micromanaging. He sets an incredibly high bar for performance, yet balances it with compassion, understanding, and an unwavering belief in his people. His trust has done more than empower me – it inspires me to rise to the occasion and do the best work of my career.”

That sentiment is echoed by Jason McLarney, Director of Product, who said, “Paul cultivates a culture of radical respect and authenticity that levels the playing field. He engages with everyone at Black Kite with the same level of attention and honesty, regardless of their tenure or rank, which has empowered us to take ownership of our roles and grow genuine relationships with one another”.

It is with this culture in place that Black Kite has been able to build a strong and diverse team and contribute to not only the Massachusetts cybersecurity community, but the global community as well. We are extremely grateful to have Paul’s leadership and are eager to see where his guidance takes us as we move forward.

If this sounds like a team you want to be a part of, good news. We’re hiring!  See our open roles, here.

Read the announcement from MTLC at: https://www.mtlc.co/awards2026/