The 2026 WIT Awards: A Night That Changes Careers

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A large crowd attends the WIT Awards 2023 ceremony in a spacious, modern hall with blue lighting, decorated tables, a stage with speakers, and an aquarium visible on the right wall.

The WIT Awards puts a spotlight on women who are shaping the future of technology, and that spotlight does more than light up a room for one night. It tells the woman on stage and the thousands of women watching her story unfold that their work is valued, and that staying in tech is worth it.

That’s the real impact of the WIT Awards. It’s more than a gala. It’s visibility, and visibility leads to retention.

Why This Night Matters

Women in Technology (WIT) exists to encourage, retain, and elevate women and girls across all industries and at any stage in their tech careers. The WIT Awards is where that mission becomes tangible. When a woman’s name is called, when her company fills a table to celebrate her, when her peers share her story, that recognition becomes part of her career momentum.

The data behind this is simple: Women don’t leave tech because they lack ambition or talent. They leave when the systems around them stall their growth and make their contributions invisible. The WIT Awards interrupt that pattern.By honoring the women who are building, leading, and staying in tech, the WIT Awards give them the recognition they deserve and remind companies why their success is worth investing in.

The women we recognize aren’t exceptions. They represent thousands of others just as capable and just as driven, who are simply less seen. When we put one woman’s name on a stage, we’re telling every woman in that room that she belongs there too.

What to Expect

This year’s celebration will be held at the Georgia Aquarium on October 22 from 5:30 pm to 9 pm ET, bringing together more than 600 executives, senior leaders, and innovators from across Georgia’s tech community.

The evening opens with an exclusive VIP reception from 5 pm to 6 pm, designed for deeper conversation and connection with honorees, partners, and executives before the main program begins. From there, guests will enjoy a seated dinner created by Wolfgang Puck’s culinary team, set against the backdrop of the Georgia Aquarium.

The night builds toward the awards ceremony itself, the true highlight of the evening, where this year’s honorees, finalists, and winners across categories from Woman of the Year to the Emerging Executive Award will be celebrated in front of the full room.

It’s a room full of people who want to see each other win. Tables are available now for companies ready to celebrate their team members and stand with the broader community of women building the future of tech in Georgia.

The Power of Partnership

None of this happens without the companies who invest in it. WIT’s high-visibility partnership opportunities, including Presenting Partner, VIP Reception Partner, and Awards Spotlight Partner, put your company at the center of a night built around recognition, community, and momentum for women in tech.

Partnership with WIT is more than a sponsorship line item. It’s a strategic investment in the talent your company already has, and a direct line to the women shaping Georgia’s tech community. Partners are featured throughout the campaign leading up to the event and recognized live at the ceremony.

Interested in partnering with WIT for the 2026 WIT Awards? Contact partnerships@mywit.org to learn more about available opportunities.

Thank You to Our Partners

The 2026 WIT Awards would not be possible without the companies who invest in making women in tech visible. We are grateful to the organizations showing up for this community.

Presenting Partner

The top tier. Your company’s logo on signage, the stage, and all promotions will visibly demonstrate your leadership in supporting women in tech careers, making your brand stand out in the community. If your company is committed to advancing women in tech, we would love to talk. Contact partnerships@mywit.org to learn more.

VIP Reception Partner

Your brand welcomes this year’s WIT Award finalists, past winners, program judges, and tech leaders from across Georgia’s business and tech community into an intimate, energizing space for incredible conversations and community building. If this sounds like the right room for your company, contact partnerships@mywit.org.

Awards Spotlight Parnters

Red CDW text in bold capital letters with a red swoosh encircling the letters on a white background.
State Farm logo with three interlocking red ovals on the left and the words State Farm in red bold letters to the right.
The Home Depot logo featuring the company name in bold, white stencil-style letters on an orange square background, aligned diagonally.

CDW, State Farm, and The Home Depot are proud Awards Spotlight Partners of the 2026 WIT Awards. 

Join these companies and present an award on stage, watching 600 leaders celebrate her and creating a meaningful impact that resonates beyond the night. Three more Awards Spotlight Partner opportunities remain. Contact partnerships@mywit.org to learn more.

Additional Partners

Registration Partner

Your brand is the first thing every guest sees, with premier placement at check-in as the night begins.

Spirits Partner

Your brand behind the bars all night, plus a signature cocktail created in your name. Your brand with the drink 600+ guests raise to toast this year’s winners.

Photobooth Partner

Zebra Technologies logo with a stylized zebra head made of black stripes on the left and the word ZEBRA in bold black letters on the right.

Impact Partner

The image shows the Cox Enterprises logo with COX in large blue letters above ENTERPRISES in smaller blue letters.
The Fiserv logo with the company name in bold, lowercase orange letters and a period at the end on a white background.

Interested in joining this list? Reach out to partnerships@mywit.org.

Join Us

Tables are available now. Whether you’re celebrating a team member, building connections with Georgia’s tech leaders, or investing in the community helping women explore, pursue, persist, and lead in technology careers, this is the night to be in the room.

Reserve your table today here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/OOr/

Introducing the 2026 WIT Awards Honoree Class

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A collage of diverse women in professional attire on a purple background, with WIT Awards 2024 logo at the bottom left.

We’re thrilled to introduce the women who make up the 2026 WIT Awards honoree class! 

This year’s honorees represent every stage of the career journey, from rising leaders just starting to make their mark to executives shaping strategy at the highest level. They have inspired their teams, innovated new products and services, and opened up new possibilities for other women in their field. 

Nominated by others and by themselves alike, each is being celebrated for the impact they’ve already made in their community.

Meet the 2026 Honorees

Woman of the Year

This is WIT’s highest honor. The award recognizes executive-level leaders who are accountable for significant, measurable outcomes, and whose leadership has created change that extends well beyond themselves.  

Emerging Executive Impact

For executives who are early in their executive leadership journey but are already delivering results that significantly exceed what would be expected at their tenure level. 

Organizational Executive Impact

For executives driving meaningful, measurable transformation within their organization, regardless of company size. 

Enterprise Executive Impact

For executives who have delivered sustained, large-scale impact within a major or highly complex organization. 

  • Stephanie Arnette, Principal, Deloitte
  • Arati Chavan, Vice President, Cyber Security, Mckesson
  • Julie Elmore, SVP, Technology, Inspire Brands
  • Sharay Erskine, Chief Information Officer, National Multiple Sclerosis Society 
  • Jenny Fotia, VP, Digital & Data, North America, The Coca-Cola Company
  • Dianne Kokotoff, Executive Director, Enterprise Solutions and Automation, Wellstar Health Systems
  • Naomi Lariviere, Chief Product Owner, VP Product Management, ADP
  • Missy Lawson, SVP, Technology; Cyber, Risk, & Business Operations, Fiserv
  • Wandia Mbuvi, Senior Vice President, Head of Strategic Risk & Remediation and Interim Head of CSBB Business Management Office, Truist
  • Ashlea Mitchell, Global Technology Leader – Engineering, Infrastructure, Operations, Revinate

Woman to Watch

This award recognizes a mid-career leader in technology who has already delivered measurable results beyond her formal role, expanded her scope of influence over time, and made a deliberate, visible investment in advancing others.

Early Career Excellence Award

This award recognizes an early-career professional in technology whose initiative, creativity, and investment in others significantly exceed what is typical at her stage.

SMP Excellence Award

Recognizes a graduate of WIT’s Single Mothers’ Program who is thriving in her technology career, growing her skills, delivering real results, and showing what is possible when determination meets opportunity.

Why the WIT Awards Matter

The WIT Awards recognize women and girls whose leadership and achievements are shaping technology today. By making their stories visible, the event creates role models for the next generation to follow into tech careers.

Reserve Your Table

The 2026 WIT Awards take place October 22 at the Georgia Aquarium. If someone on this list is part of your team, this is your chance to celebrate with them in person. 

Reserve your table

2026 WIT Awards: Nominations Are Now Open

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The WIT Awards recognize the remarkable women who explore, pursue, persist, and lead in technology — and the organizations making that possible. Nominations are open now. Nominations close May 29, 2026. Awards Night: October 22, 2026.

What’s New in 2026

After hearing from people across the WIT community, we’ve redesigned our awards framework around one core idea: Recognize the individual leader, not the company on her business card. Key changes from 2025 include: no 1-year tenure requirement for Woman of the Year nominees; “Single Mother of the Year” renamed to “SMP Success Award”; company-size categories replaced with impact-based subcategories (Enterprise, Organizational, Emerging Executive); and clearer eligibility criteria throughout.

Award Categories

Early Career Excellence Award

Recognizes an early-career professional in technology whose initiative, creativity, and investment in others significantly exceed what is typical at her stage.

Woman to Watch

Recognizes a mid-career leader in technology who has already delivered measurable results beyond her formal role, expanded her scope of influence over time, and made a deliberate, visible investment in advancing others.

Woman of the Year

WIT’s highest honor. Recognizes executive-level leaders who are accountable for significant, measurable outcomes, and whose leadership has created change that extends well beyond themselves. Subcategories: Enterprise Executive, Organizational Executive, and Emerging Executive.

Girl of the Year

Recognizes a high school student who demonstrates genuine curiosity, initiative, and growing confidence in exploring technology, and who lifts others around her in the process.

Campus Club of the Year

Recognizes an official WIT Campus Club that has created meaningful opportunities for students to connect, develop skills, and build confidence and community in technology.

SMP Excellence

Recognizes a graduate of WIT’s Single Mothers’ Program who is thriving in her technology career, growing her skills, delivering real results, and showing what is possible when determination meets opportunity.

Key Dates

  • Nominations Close: May 29, 2026
  • Nominee Applications Close: June 12, 2026
  • Honoree Announcement: First week of July
  • Finalist Announcement: Mid-August
  • Finalist In-Person Interviews: September 18, 2026
  • Awards Ceremony: October 22, 2026

Woman of the Year – Large Enterprise: Leading Transformation at Scale

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The 2025 Woman of the Year: Large/Enterprise Business category honors women who are shaping the future of technology within major organizations, driving enterprise-wide innovation, and creating impact that resonates across industries and communities.

Kateau James — Global CIO, McKinsey & Company (Winner)

Leading technology for 40,000+ colleagues worldwide, Kateau has reimagined how McKinsey works, collaborates, and innovates. From a global SharePoint rollout to modernizing mobile ecosystems, she has transformed operations while enabling colleagues to work more efficiently across regions. A standout milestone was embedding AI tools like M365 Copilot into daily workflows, saving teams up to three hours per week.

“Technology can change processes, but real impact comes when you help people grow alongside that change.”

Tina Nguyen — Core Services Portfolio Leader, Honeywell (Finalist)

Tina drives enterprise platforms that support a $15B global business. She led the implementation of Scaled Agile across software and field operations, improving outage planning and increasing successful service events by 26% in one year. Through automation and AI integration, Tina improved field report completion from 23% to 90%.

“Transformation happens when you focus on both the tools and the people using them.”

Ashlea Parrish (Mitchell) — VP Engineering, Enterprise Architecture (Finalist)

Ashlea has spent her career driving global technology initiatives. Formerly VP of Engineering at Equifax, she led the organization to 90% cloud-native operations, implemented secure automated pipelines, and orchestrated global M&A integrations.

“Leading technology isn’t just about systems or processes — it’s about creating space for people to innovate, grow, and succeed at every level.”

Woman of the Year – Mid-Sized Business: Driving Innovation in Tech

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The 2025 Woman of the Year: Medium/Mid-Sized Business category honors leaders who are shaping technology and business through innovation, transformation, and leadership.

Kerri Sauer — Managing Director, Sia Partners (Winner)

Kerri’s career has always been about more than technology — it’s about people, teams, and solving problems that matter. When a major FinTech client faced challenges in US Payments, EMV technology, and Agile transformation, Kerri stepped in to build a specialized team of Payments experts. She coached leaders on Agile practices, streamlined critical payment systems, and helped prevent fraud in the EBT network — ensuring nutrition reached vulnerable families across multiple states.

“Driving meaningful change in technology isn’t just about delivering solutions — it’s about building teams and creating lasting impact for the people and communities we serve.”

Chintan Patel — Chief Information Officer, National DCP (Finalist)

Chintan thrives at the intersection of technology and people. Leading a multi-year modernization of National DCP’s warehouse and transportation systems, she transformed how operations support 10,000+ Dunkin’ franchisees across 40 countries. AI-driven routing replaced manual planning, saving millions of miles, hours, and fuel.

“Transformative technology comes from understanding both the human and operational sides of the business.”

Paula Wagner — Chief Information Officer, Mansfield Energy (Finalist)

Paula’s leadership transforms IT into a strategic growth engine. At Mansfield Energy, she modernized infrastructure, launched the company’s first Procurement and Product offices, and implemented AI-powered tools to improve performance and operations.

“Transforming IT isn’t just about technology — it’s about enabling people, culture, and business to grow together.”

Woman of the Year – Emerging Business: Innovation and Equity in Tech

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The 2025 Woman of the Year: Small/Emerging Business category honored leaders who are making an extraordinary impact through entrepreneurship, innovation, and creating opportunities in technology.

Shana Sanders — Founder & CEO, We Create Tech (Winner)

Shana’s journey combines creativity, education, and technology. As the Founder and CEO of We Create Tech, she leads a fast-growing nonprofit dedicated to closing the opportunity divide in STEAM through culturally relevant tech education. Over the past year, Shana expanded from serving 200 youth to 700+ students, providing hands-on STEAM training across all six Google Career Certificate areas, and launched TechRise — a digital ecosystem offering certifications, internships, and advisor connections.

“Leading We Create Tech has been about building pathways, lifting others, and creating opportunities where they didn’t exist before.”

Allison Giddens — CIO, Win-Tech, Inc. (Finalist)

Allison’s career is a testament to long-term dedication, leadership, and innovation in a small business setting. Over nearly two decades, she grew from assistant to co-owner and now serves as CIO of Win-Tech, Inc., a small aerospace manufacturer. In June 2025, Allison led Win-Tech through a successful Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 third-party assessment — making them one of the first small manufacturers to achieve this milestone.

“Leading Win-Tech is about more than business outcomes — it’s about opening doors for others, inspiring future engineers, and building systems that support growth.”

Celine Vignal — Founder, Seesaw Health (Finalist)

Celine’s journey is driven by innovation, science, and a personal commitment to women’s health. As the founder of Seesaw Health, she leads a pioneering health tech company at the intersection of biosensing, behavioral therapies, and women’s wellness.

“Building Seesaw Health has been about transforming personal experience into actionable innovation.”

Woman to Watch: Leading with Vision and Impact

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The 2025 Woman to Watch category honored leaders who are driving innovation, shaping strategy, and inspiring others in technology.

ZsaVette Eze — Vice President of Technology, Synchrony Financial (Winner)

ZsaVette’s journey in technology spans more than 15 years across fintech, cloud, and enterprise transformation. One of her proudest milestones came while leading the launch and operational scale of Amazon Pay Later at Synchrony Financial. As the single-threaded owner, she aligned technology, compliance, fraud prevention, and customer experience across two Fortune 100 companies — resulting in a product that supported $967M in net earnings and exceeded EPS expectations by nearly 40%.

“Leading initiatives like Amazon Pay Later has not only proven my leadership but also reinforced the importance of visibility, strategic thinking, and mentoring others to succeed.”

Manjula Ganta — Senior Director of Product Development, ADP (Finalist)

Manjula’s career in technology spans 25 years in Human Capital Management. At ADP, she leads technology teams managing HR, Payroll, Talent, and Portal products across a $500M portfolio. She led a large-scale digital transformation of ADP’s Payroll product, moving from legacy on-premise to cloud-based solution, supporting over 600 clients and generating $8.6M in cost savings.

“Driving large-scale transformation requires more than technology — it’s about empowering teams to innovate confidently.”

Francine Marquis — AI Program Manager, Google Cloud (Finalist)

Francine is revolutionizing AI accessibility while creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. She architected Google Cloud AI’s Trusted Tester Program, expanding it from an internal pilot to a 5,000+ customer ecosystem — exceeding projections by 10x in just 1.5 years.

“The best innovations emerge when diverse voices shape technology from the ground up.”

Single Mother of the Year: Strength, Resilience & Leadership

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The 2025 Single Mother of the Year category honored women who balance motherhood, career growth, and personal development while overcoming significant challenges.

Kassundra Evans — IT Analyst, Cybersecurity & GRC (Winner)

Kassundra’s journey into technology began with a leap of faith. She relocated across the country with her one-year-old son, stepping into the unknown with only determination and hope. Since then, she has completed the WIT Single Mothers Program, secured her role as an IT Analyst in cybersecurity and GRC, and is working toward her CompTIA Security+ certification. Her long-term goal is to become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

“Every accomplishment has been deeply meaningful — not just for me, but for my son. I’ve built a life that shows him what happens when you refuse to give up.”

Cheliya Green — Armed Service Technician, Loomis (Finalist)

Cheliya’s career combines precision, problem-solving, and a growing passion for cybersecurity. As an Armed Service Technician, she manages a high-stakes route handling cash pickups, transport, and ATM refills. A graduate of the WIT Single Mothers Program, Cheliya credits WIT with giving her clarity, confidence, and a path forward.

“WIT helped me gain the confidence and direction to pursue a career in cybersecurity, where I can make a real impact.”

Laura Newberry-Henderson — Investigation Specialist, Amazon (Finalist)

Laura’s path has been shaped by resilience and determination. As a mother and Investigation Specialist at Amazon, she balances family life while advancing a career in digital forensics and cybersecurity. She completed the WIT Single Mothers Program in the top half of her cohort and earned her bachelor’s degree after ten years of starting and stopping due to life circumstances.

“I want my children to see that staying committed to your goals, even when life gets hard, can lead to real achievement.”

Young Professional of the Year: Celebrating Rising Leaders in Tech

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The 2025 Young Professional of the Year category honored emerging leaders making an impact in technology through innovation, mentorship, and career achievement.

Sarah O’Brien — Data Scientist, Southern Company (Winner)

Sarah’s journey into technology began in high school, where a Business and Technology class sparked her interest in coding. At Georgia State University, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Data Science, graduating magna cum laude. She became a mentor for RISE in Computing and contributed to HackHERs, GSU’s first all-female hackathon. Today, as a Data Scientist at Southern Company, Sarah leads AI innovation and inclusive learning initiatives.

“These achievements have helped me grow as both a leader and an advocate for women in STEM, showing that persistence, skill, and mentorship can open doors for the next generation.”

Anjie Adeyemo — Lead of Advanced Analytics, AT&T (Finalist)

Anjie’s journey into tech began with a single conversation: a professor encouraged her to pursue a minor in data analytics. Today, Anjie leads Advanced Analytics in Global Supply Chain at AT&T. She also mentors students, volunteers with Girls Who Code, and shares her authentic journey at conferences and panels.

“I’ve always been soft-spoken, but over time I’ve found my voice through speaking engagements and mentoring others.”

Vivian Milender — Product Manager II, Cox Automotive (Finalist)

Vivian’s passion for technology began early. A pivotal moment came during a UGA WIT event, where she discovered early-career rotational programs. Vivian joined Cox’s LEAD Program, excelling as an Associate Product Owner and now Product Manager II, driving innovation in how vehicles are bought and sold nationwide.

“Strong mentorship and early exposure shaped my path, and now I aim to open doors for others.”