50 Exceptional Leaders in STEM Recognized for Achievements
The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) will be announcing winners in 10 categories from among 50 women who have been selected as Women of Innovation® Finalists for the 16th Annual Women of Innovation® awards. A digital awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 12 at 12 Noon. full list of finalists here
The Women of Innovation program celebrates, and adds to a growing network of, women leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing (STEM) throughout Connecticut. Finalists are the scientists, researchers, academics, manufacturers, student leaders, entrepreneurs, and technicians who create tomorrow’s advancements through their efforts in Connecticut today. Women of Innovation® Finalists are nominated by their peers, coworkers, and mentors, and are selected based on their professional experience, history of innovation, ability to think creatively and solve problems, and demonstration of leadership. The nine Innovation & Leadership categories for Women of Innovation® Finalists include: Research, Community, Entrepreneurial, Small/Medium Business, Large Business, Youth, Collegian, Secondary Academic, and Postsecondary Academic. An award will also be given for Inspiring STEM Equitability, presented to an individual promoting equality and diversity in STEM.
The finalists, announced earlier this year, were selected from more than 150 women nominated at the start of 2020, one of the strongest fields in the 16 years of Women of Innovation®. This year’s 50 Finalists include researchers, educators, engineers, managers, students, and entrepreneurs who work in or study biotech, pharmaceuticals, software, computer hardware, advanced materials, medical devices, IT, and associated fields. High school, undergraduate and graduate students who have exhibited extraordinary and unique achievements in their disciplines are also among the finalists. Students are judged on inventiveness, STEM accomplishments, independent research, community service, and academic performance. Registration for the FREE program is now open at www.ctcreates.org/women-of-innovation, and must be made in advance of November 12. The hour-long program has been redesigned to digitally celebrate the achievements of 50 remarkable women who lead Connecticut’s future in STEM and pave the way for tomorrow’s breakthroughs. “The exceptional women we recognize through the Women of Innovation awards are catalysts for Connecticut’s future, and reflect technical expertise, professional excellence and unrelenting determination,” said Giovanni Tomasi, President/Chief Technology Officer of RSL Fiber Systems and Board Chair of CTC. “If Connecticut’s economy is to thrive and innovative companies are to take root and grow here, we will depend, in large measure, on ensuring that women in the STEM fields have every opportunity to excel.” “Women of Innovation® brings together leaders and innovators from across Connecticut – reflecting the expertise and ground-breaking work being done in our state,” said Ron Angelo, President and CEO at CCAT, which this year partnered with the CTC in coordinating the honors. “Women are still under-represented in the STEM fields, which is why it is so important to applaud their contributions, and redouble our collective efforts to open STEM to their full participation and leadership.” Sarah Cody of WTNH News8 will be emcee for the event, which will include prominent Connecticut technology business leaders, finalists, and the announcement of the 2020 Women of Innovation winners. Women of Innovation® premier sponsors are CTNext, Medtronic and Raytheon Technologies. Showcase sponsor is Accounting Resources; Supporting sponsor is Pfizer; Contributing sponsor is UConn. Media partners include WTNH News 8, Connecticut magazine and Lite 100.5 WRCH. Learn more at https://ctcreates.org/women-of-innovation/ The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, validates, demonstrates, and encourages the adoption of leading-edge technologies into global industrial companies and the advanced manufacturing supply chain, while also providing the training and education necessary to utilize the capability of these advancements and drive efficiency. Learn more at www.ccat.us The mission of the Connecticut Technology Council, a statewide association of technology-oriented companies and institutions, is to spark innovation, cultivate tech talent, foster business growth, advocate for industry-beneficial law and policy, expand the scope of industry networking and professional development, and celebrate industry achievements in the state. For more information, visit www.ct.org Media Contact: Bernard Kavaler, 860.729.3021, bernard@express-strategies.com