Now in its 16th year, the annual Women of Innovation® program recognizes women innovators, role models, and leaders in science and technology, including outstanding young women at the high school and collegiate levels pursuing technology professions.
Creating and expanding a vibrant network of more than 750 women throughout Connecticut, these outstanding women will be recognized for their great achievements and excellence in the STEM fields.
Women of Innovation® 2020 is a proud collaboration between the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT). This year’s awards gala will be held on Tuesday, April 21 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s Women of Innovation® awards in 11 categories, through February 28, 2020.
All nominees must meet these minimum requirements as well as those specific to the awards for which they are being voted:
Currently working or studying in the State of Connecticut.
Demonstrates strong leadership abilities.
Serves or served as a mentor in some capacity – short- or long-term, life mentor, career mentor, or peer mentor.
AWARDS CATEGORIES
Youth Innovation & Leadership Each year, a female high school student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievements in technology or science, or who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in said fields, is honored at the annual Women of Innovation® awards. Juniors and Seniors are eligible for the Youth Innovation and Leadership award. NOTE: family members of nominees are not allowed to submit nominations.
Collegian Innovation & Leadership CCAT and CTC are proud to award Connecticut’s most innovative, successful, collegiate students. Every year, at the Women of Innovation awards ceremony, one outstanding woman is chosen for the Collegian Innovation and Leadership Award. The recipient must be an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement in the technology, science, or engineering areas of study or who has displayed inventiveness or creativity in said fields.
Secondary Academic Innovation & Leadership A woman working in the secondary academic setting who has created and fostered STEM programs in curriculum development, student research, and/or teacher-student collaborations, and consistently demonstrates STEM leadership and innovation is eligible for the Secondary Academic Innovation and Leadership Award.
Postsecondary Academic Innovation & Leadership A woman working in the postsecondary academic setting who has created and fostered STEM programs in curriculum development, student research, and teacher-student collaborations, is eligible for the Postsecondary Academic Innovation and Leadership Award. The recipient will have secured outside funding to support her work and/or received peer recognition for her leadership and innovation.
Community Innovation & Leadership Women who are employed in technology, science or engineering who have devoted their own time and resources, or marshaled those of their company or organization, to support community organizations or non-profits, are honored yearly at Women of Innovation®. One outstanding woman who has created or encouraged a culture of giving at her company or who has volunteered her time outside her workplace receives the Community Innovation and Leadership award.
Entrepreneurial Innovation & Leadership This award honors a woman who has founded her own company or helped found a company. A woman who has taken great professional and financial risk to make her idea a reality.
Research Innovation & Leadership Each year, one woman who has developed new knowledge or products, or improvements to products in a corporate or academic setting, is honored with the Research Innovation and Leadership Award. She must exhibit an original approach to her research as well as achieve peer recognition in the technology, science or engineering disciplines. The Research Innovation and Leadership recipient is a woman who has exhibited leadership ability by leading research teams, motivating staff and securing funding or resources to enable her research program.
Small Business Innovation & Leadership Any woman who has at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering can qualify for the Small Business Innovation and Leadership Award. The recipient will have managed a program, project, or business unit in an exemplary way in a small company (fewer than 100 employees) or professional services firm.
Medium Business Innovation & Leadership Any woman who has at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering can qualify for the Medium Business Innovation and Leadership Award. The recipient will have managed a program, project, or business unit in an exemplary way in a medium company (101-499 employees) or professional services firm.
Large Business Innovation & Leadership The Large Business Innovation & Leadership Award honors a woman who has managed a program, project, or business unit in an exemplary way. Said project, program, or business must be part of a large corporation (more than 500 employees) or professional services firm and the honoree must also have at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science, or engineering.
Inspiring STEM Equitability Award Equitability, diversity, and inclusivity are not just women’s issues – they are business, economic, and societal issues. Organizations need change agents who will champion equitability and diversity, and encourage others to also become ambassadors of the effort. The Inspiring STEM Equitability Award recognizes an individual who works to create a climate that is not only diverse but also inclusive of all people in such ways that further the success and promotion of the STEM fields. The Inspiring STEM Equitability Award is open to any individual, irrespective of gender expression, 17 years of age or older who demonstrates a commitment to promoting equitability, diversity, and inclusivity in the STEM arena.