The Leaders Who Changed the Equation

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November WIT Forum | November 18, 2026 | 7:30–9:00 AM ET | Maggiano’s Buckhead

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Every leader in the room on November 18 has a story. A moment when the path forward wasn’t clear. A relationship that changed everything. A decision that felt like a risk and turned out to be the best one they ever made.

The 2026 WIT Awards winners are being recognized not just for what they’ve achieved, but for what they changed, in their organizations, in their fields, and in the conditions around them. This Forum puts them on stage not to celebrate their titles, but to learn from their turning points.

What does it actually take to lead in technology? What do women who’ve reached the highest levels of the field know that they wish they’d known sooner? And once they had the power to change something, what did they do with it?

This WIT Forum closes out the year with both a celebration and a masterclass. The winners are the content. Their recognition is the occasion. And the conversation belongs to everyone in the room.

What This WIT Forum Is About

The winners of the 2026 WIT Awards didn’t just reach senior leadership. They used what they found there to open doors for the people coming up behind them. This Forum brings that experience to the stage.

Through candid panel discussion and interactive table conversation, you’ll hear directly from women who navigated real gaps between their potential and their opportunity, who built things that didn’t exist before them, and who chose, again and again, to stay and change a system from within. The conversation covers what it took to get there, what changed once they arrived, and what they did with the influence they built.

This is a close-up look at how leadership actually happens.

Who Should Attend

This WIT Forum is for women in technology careers at every level, along with the leaders and allies who champion them.

Whether you’re early in your career and starting to think about what leadership could look like for you, mid-career and weighing your next move, or already leading and looking for what to do with the influence you’ve earned, there’s a version of this conversation waiting for you.

What You Will Walk Away With

Attendees can expect to leave with:

A real picture of what leadership takes. Not the highlight reel, but the actual decisions, risks, and relationships that shaped these leaders’ paths.

A model for using influence well. The panel doesn’t stop at “how I got here.” It gets into what each leader did once she had real organizational power, for herself and for others.

A personal commitment to carry forward. Table conversations and a take-home reflection guide will help you turn what you hear into a concrete next step, whether that’s an action for your own path or a change you make possible for someone else.

As one WIT community member shared, “You get confidence from being around people who want to see you win and thrive.” That’s the spirit of this WIT Forum.

Join Us on November 18

This WIT Forum is in person and open to women and allies across industries. Come for the recognition, and leave with a model for what to do with your own influence, wherever you are in your career.

One hour and thirty minutes. Real conversation. The kind of insight that stays with you long after you leave the room.

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Meet the Panelists

The November panel is made up of the 2026 WIT Awards winners, women whose paths reflect a range of journeys: the executive who changed the conditions around her, the founder who built something new, the leader who stayed and transformed an institution from within, and a leader earlier in her executive journey showing what’s possible right now. Full panelist profiles will be announced once winners are confirmed.

Thank You to Our Partners

This WIT Forum is made possible by the generous support of our partners.

A special thank you to our Presenting Partner, Tier4 Group, for their commitment to advancing women in technology and making conversations like this one possible.

The TIER4 GROUP logo with gray text and a blue abstract symbol resembling a person next to the number 4.

We also extend our gratitude to our WIT Forum Partners:

A grid of 21 company logos, including Adapture, Cargill, CDW, Cox, Home Depot, Salesforce, State Farm, Truist, Coca-Cola, Synchrony, and others on a white background.

Women in Technology (WIT) creates possibilities for more women to explore, pursue, persist, and lead in technology. Learn more at mywit.org.

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.”