Honoring women who lead Connecticut's future in STEM and pave the way for tomorrow's breakthroughs

2021 Women of Innovation® Winners

The Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. are proud to announce the 11 winners of the 2021 Women of Innovation® program. These outstanding women in STEM are the researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who are developing technologies and discovering breakthroughs that are creating a better future for our state. See full list of finalists.
Watch the celebration event below and learn more about these exceptional women!
Download the event program. 

2021 Finalists

In 2021 the Women of Innovation® (WOI) Committee reviewed over 150 nominations and selected 36 finalists across 10 categories.

Award Categories & Eligibility Criteria

Youth Innovation & Leadership

Awarded to 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. 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 honor Connecticut’s most innovative, successful, collegiate students. Each finalist is 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

Awarded to 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.

Postsecondary Academic Innovation

Awarded to a woman working in the postsecondary academic setting who has created and fostered STEM programs in curriculum development, student research, and teacher-student collaborations. Each finalist has secured outside funding to support her work and/or received peer recognition for her leadership and innovation.

Community Innovation & Leadership

Each finalist is a woman employed in technology, science or engineering who has devoted her own time and resources, or marshaled those of her company or organization, to support community organizations or non-profits. Awarded to one outstanding woman who has created or encouraged a culture of giving at her company or who has volunteered her time outside her workplace.

Entrepreneurial Innovation & Leadership

Awarded to 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

Awarded to a woman who has developed new knowledge or products, or improvements to products in a corporate or academic setting. Each finalist has exhibited an original approach to her research as well as achieved peer recognition in the technology, science or engineering disciplines. She has exhibited leadership ability by leading research teams, motivating staff and securing funding or resources to enable her research program.

Small/Medium Business Innovation & Leadership

Awarded to a woman who has at least three years of managerial or technical experience in technology, science or engineering who has managed a program, project, or business unit in an exemplary way in a small/medium company (fewer than 499 employees).

Large Business Innovation & Leadership

Awarded to a woman who has managed a program, project, or business unit in an exemplary way in a large corporation (more than 500 employees) or professional services firm. Each finalist has 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.

Each finalist 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. Awarded to an individual, irrespective of gender expression, 17 years of age or older who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting equitability, diversity, and inclusivity in the STEM arena.

All nominees are required to meet these minimum requirements as well as those specific to the awards for which they are nominated:
  • 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. 

About

Now in its 17th 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® 2021 is a proud collaboration between the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT).

Please contact Maureen Lord with any questions at MLord@CT.org or 860-289-0878.

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Sponsorships

Sponsorships for the Women of Innovation® awards are now available.
Join these outstanding sponsors:

Premier Sponsor

Medtronic-Logo-1.wine

Supporting Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Program Sponsors

Media & Press Releases

News8 WTNH Interview with Women of Innovation® nominee Lisa Roy [Oct. 13, 2021]
WTNH Interview with Women of Innovation finalist and professor of Geology at Wesleyan University Dr. Martha Gilmore
Women of Innovation Interview; Steve Noxon talks with Gio Tomasi of Connecticut Technology Council, Jackie Garofano and Ron Angelo of Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology [WATR Talk of the Town, Sept 27, 2021]
17th Annual Women of Innovation Highlights Amazing Connecticut Finalists [CT Post article, July 22, 2021]
Meet this year’s winner of the Collegian Innovation and Leadership Award [NEWS 8 WTNH Interview]
Meet one of this year’s Women of Innovation® winners [NEWS 8 WTNH Interview]
Aundrya Montgomery honored for using STEM to help community at 16th Annual Women of Innovation® [NEWS 8 WTNH Interview]
Winner of the Medtronic Youth Innovation and Leadership Scholarship Sophia Wang explains how scholarship helped her with studies at MIT [NEWS 8 WTNH Interview]
2020 Women of Innovation® Awards going virtual amid pandemic [NEWS 8 WTNH Interview]
2020 Women of Innovation® – Giovanni Tomasi [WRCH Interview]

17 Annual Connecticut Annual Women of Innovation Awards Slated for Oct. 14; Leaders in STEM Disciplines to be Recognized for Outstanding Achievements, Impact on Connecticut’s Scientific Advancement, Economic Development, Education [Press Release]
Finalists Named for 17th Annual Women of Innovation® Awards; Leaders in STEM Recognized for Outstanding Achievements; Awards Event is Oct. 14 [Press Release]
The Joys of Scientific Discovery: Technology Webinar to Feature Sonata Scientific Senior Researcher and Principal Investigator; 2021 Women of Innovation Finalists to be Announced [Press Release]
17th Annual Women of Innovation® Nominations Due April 9; Finalists to be Announced in May, Featured at Fall Awards Ceremony [Press Release]
Women of Innovation® Winners in 10 STEM Categories Announced [Press Release]
Women of Innovation® Winners in 10 STEM Categories to be Announced… [Press Release]
Women of Innovation® Award Large Business Innovation and Leadership Finalists… [Press Release]
Women of Innovation® Award Candidates to be Featured in Webinar… [Press Release]
Finalists Named for 16th Annual Women of Innovation® Awards… [Press Release]

2020 Women of Innovation® Winners

The Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. are proud to announce the 12 winners of the 2020 Women of Innovation® program. Watch the celebration event below and learn more about these exceptional women!
Download the event program and finalist posters.

Interested in sponsoring Women of Innovation?
Contact WOI@ccat.us.