About the Women of the Year Awards

The Women of the Year Awards, hosted annually by Women In Technology (WIT), celebrates exceptional women across Georgia who are making a significant impact in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Now in its 24th year, the WIT Awards honor leaders, innovators, and advocates who pave the way for future women in STEAM.

Can you share your career journey and what led you to your current role in the tech/STEAM field?

“Starting from my early stages of childhood, my passion and curiosity has consistently drawn myself to pursue the STEAM field. The diverse offerings that I have witnessed later in life, in part to Women In Technology (WIT), has only driven myself further to find my own voice within the industry.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech/STEAM, and who has been your most significant influence?

“I’ll never forget a time in Middle School in which my teacher told me that it was not possible for me, as a young woman, to be successful in a STEAM-based career. I’m very tenacious and might even add stubborn with a cause. If someone tells me I can’t do something, I am going to work towards it 10 times harder. But, I also genuinely enjoy the mechanics and learning process within the field.”

What challenges have you faced as a woman/girl in STEAM, and how did you overcome them?

“I feel that even in 2024 there is an associated stigma with women partaking in STEAM. I haven’t felt this stigma as severely as other generations, but I will say that others in the field do not operate completely unbiased against the women in their industry. I have learned overtime that the only opinions that I consulate are my own and my close family members. I have learned to live without that anxiety, and it has paid off tremendously.”

Can you share a moment or project you are particularly proud of in your career?  

“I am particularly proud of supporting WIT’s programming as an Ambassador. If you had told myself 1-2 years ago that I would be serving as an ambassador alongside such a tremendous team, I would not have believed you. Serving as an ambassador has provided me with a great outlet for community outreach.”

What excites you most about the future of technology/your field?

“I’m very excited and anticipating the ground-breaking discoveries and findings in the future due to increased access to STEAM across many marginalized groups.”

How have you contributed to innovation or change in your organization or community?

“I have helped to initiate change by voicing my concerns and giving a platform for others to voice their concerns- so that we may bring about a positive change we wish to see. Actions speak louder than words, which is why I’m very grateful to have the leadership roles and positions I possess in the STEAM community.”

How do you use your position to empower or mentor other women/girls in STEAM?

“I truly believe that if you have the platform to create change for the better, that you are compelled to do so. I want all of my work to possess meaning and by advocating for women- I have found that meaning.”

Can you give us an example of how you’ve supported diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work?

“Within my non-profit and other community outreach positions, I have helped to service girls, and within my non-profit girls specifically from marginalized communities. During my service as a volunteer with HYPE (Hope For Youth Inc.), I have helped to spearhead operations on two community summits amassing over 300+ attendees per each. Highlighting DEI components in my work is very imperative, as in other situations I have not been able to see DEI practices implemented properly which negatively affected myself.”

If you could go back to the start of your career, what would you tell your youngerself?

“I believe I am still pretty young, but I would tell my younger self that success is defined as more than a win, but also the many losses it takes to get there.”

What are your goals for the future, and how do you hope to continue making an impact in STEAM?

“My goal is to complete my undergraduate education double-majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science. Later on, I hope to move into the field of Medtech and Biomedical engineering. I also hope to establish a secondary non-profit when financially capable to support such.”

Why is WIT’s mission essential and how do you see the organization influencing the personal and career growth of those involved?

“WIT imperatively impacts women and girls across generations. It takes a lot of effort to develop an organization like this, but even more so to create successful and meaningful messaging like WIT does.”

What does selection as a finalist for the WIT Awards mean to you, and how do you feel this recognition can inspire others?

“When I first joined WIT, I had heard of all the preceding WIT Girls who had gone on to be extremely successful and selected as finalists. I had honestly thought that my decision email was a rejection, and luckily I had opened it to discover I was a finalist. It truly is a 180 degree moment, a joke for my geometry enthusiasts. To be where I am today, is a complete privilege that many do not have the opportunity to experience.”