Women in Tech® Global Awards 2024 Nominees

Women in Tech® Global Awards 2024 Winners

ASPIRING TEEN AWARD

Natalia Vargas is a young entrepreneur and emerging scientist from Lima, Peru, actively engaged in leadership roles to address challenges in her country. She leads “Misión Kosmos,” the first Latin American space camp, which involves over 20 volunteers from five academic disciplines. The program teaches space sciences, such as aerospace medicine, lunar exploration, and satellite technology, while also promoting practical skills in science and technology through hands-on projects like the construction and launch of water-powered rockets. The camp, in its first in-person edition, has impacted over 40 students and secured more than eight national and international partnerships, including support from organizations like CONCYTEC and the National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development.

Natalia’s dedication to sharing knowledge is evident in her mentorship and teaching activities. She has offered over 20 free online STEM classes to around 50 Peruvian children and adolescents, and she has actively contributed to “Colores de Alegría,” an organization focused on improving the academic performance of underprivileged children.

In school, Natalia represented her institution in international competitions in mathematics, physics, astronomy, and astrophysics, and conducted scientific research on topics such as the impact of pollution on river ecosystems and the effects of harmonic waves on mental health and cardiac regulation in space missions. Her research led to opportunities to train as an astronaut and present her findings to members of the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA engineers.

As a Project Management Delegate for CAS, Natalia organized high-impact events promoting entrepreneurship, healthy habits, and community service, benefiting over 600 people through various initiatives. She also founded “Kaysiri,” an initiative aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, inspired by her family’s health challenges.

Currently, Natalia is on a scholarship with University Placement, assisting academically excellent but socially vulnerable students in applying to U.S. university programs.

BEST ALLY AWARD

Marwa has dedicated her career to advancing gender equality in technology and sustainable energy. At 18, she founded a community school for African refugees in Egypt, focusing on both education and empowering the students’ mothers with job opportunities and training. Her early commitment to social impact set the foundation for her leadership in gender and energy sectors.

Awarded the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Marwa pursued a Master’s in Development and Humanitarian Action at the University of Paris 1, Panthéon-Sorbonne, focusing on gender and energy. At 24, she became the head of Global Gender Strategy at Schneider Electric Foundation, where she introduced the organization’s first gender strategy, aiming to train 1 million youths, support 10,000 entrepreneurs, and train 10,000 trainers by 2025.

Marwa also leads the Women and STEM initiative, connecting female role models with young girls in over 10 countries to mentor and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM. Her work focuses on breaking social barriers and promoting women’s education and employment in technical roles. Marwa’s initiatives have had significant impacts, empowering women from underprivileged backgrounds through renewable energy solutions, business management, and financial literacy, transforming lives and communities.

MOST IMPACTFUL INITIATIVE AWARD

Marilia Silva leads the IT For Girls program at NTT DATA, Inc. Brazil, an initiative aimed at addressing the gender gap in the technology sector. Launched in response to the talent shortage and gender inequality in tech, the program aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on quality education, gender equality, and economic growth.

The IT For Girls program provides free training and key tech certifications to women, helping them pursue careers in fields such as cybersecurity, software development, and cloud computing. The program features collective mentoring sessions led by female tech experts from NTT DATA, who volunteer their time to share knowledge and guide participants in navigating the tech industry. Participants also have access to free certifications from partners like Oracle, Cisco NET Acad, and Hackone.

Since its inception, the program has seen substantial growth, with over 2,000 women registering in its first year (2022) and more than 3,800 in 2023. Across these editions, 250 certifications were offered, and over 1,000 women participated in each mentoring session. The program has successfully helped 20 former participants secure full-time junior roles or internships at NTT DATA.

The program’s success is attributed to strategic collaborations with vendors and NGOs, which have expanded its reach and impact. Marilia’s leadership has been recognized globally, with IT For Girls receiving the NTT DATA AWARD and the Outstanding Achievement accolade at the 2023 NTT Group Sustainability Awards in Japan.

In 2024, the program anticipates around 5,000 registrations, with plans to offer 330 certifications in cutting-edge fields.

GREENTECH STARTUP AWARD

Tonya L. Hicks is the President and CEO of Power Solutions, Inc. (PSI), a company she founded in 2000 that focuses on green technology and renewable energy. With a background in mathematics and computer science, Tonya became the first African American woman to earn the title of journeyman wireman in Mississippi’s Local 917 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Under her leadership, PSI has developed expertise in renewable energy projects and smart city technology, contributing to sustainable practices in the electrical contracting industry.

In 2022, Tonya founded shEV, a company that manufactures electric vehicle (EV) chargers with a focus on safer charging locations for women, the elderly, and disabled individuals. This initiative supports the broader adoption of EVs and promotes inclusivity in the transition to cleaner transportation.

Tonya has been recognized for her work internationally, including features in Forbes Japan and The New York Times. She is a Sustainability Ambassador for the City of Atlanta and a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2022. Her contributions to green technology have earned her accolades such as the Minority Contractor of the Year by the National Association of Minority Contractors and recognition as one of the Top 100 Women in Construction in 2023.

MOST DISRUPTIVE AWARD

Momoko Fukunaga is a trailblazing figure in aerospace engineering, known for her work in deployable space structures and the founding of cosmobloom Inc. Her journey began with a fascination for space, leading her to work in satellite development and self-deployable structures.

As a student, Momoko made significant strides with the SPROUT satellite project and self-deployable structures, earning numerous awards and accolades for her research. After gaining practical experience in manufacturing at a Japanese game company, she founded cosmobloom Inc. in 2023 to translate her research into commercial applications. Under her leadership, the company secured a contract with JAXA and raised 40 million yen in funding within its first year.

Momoko’s vision extends to developing the world’s first space membrane antennas and advancing space solar power systems.

WOMAN IN WEB3 AWARD

Heloisa Passos is a prominent figure in the Brazilian blockchain and Web3 sector, recognized for her contributions to financial inclusion and the development of decentralized technologies. She holds a degree in animation design and a postgraduate degree in Management in Creative Economy, with 12 years of experience in the creative and new economies markets. Her work spans projects for major companies like Disney, Honda, and Dreamworks.

In 2020, Heloisa founded the largest blockchain gaming community in Latin America, which now has 35,000 members. This community has been instrumental in helping various groups in Brazil, including Uber and taxi drivers, single mothers, people with autoimmune diseases, and favela residents, to gain financial access through Web3 technologies. Her efforts in this space highlight her focus on using decentralized technology to address real-world challenges.

Heloisa’s entrepreneurial journey includes the successful sale of her first crypto startup in 2022. Following this, she founded Trexx, a company that operates at the intersection of blockchain technology, finance, and gaming, with a mission to expand financial access. Trexx has been recognized by several prestigious programs, including Endeavor’s Scale-Up, Fenasbac’s Next program with Mercado Bitcoin, and DLT Talents. Additionally, Trexx has won six awards in international competitions, demonstrating its impact and innovation in the blockchain space.

Her achievements include partnerships with major companies like Immutable X, Fireblocks, Mercado Bitcoin, and Ripio Ventures. Recently, Trexx generated over $60,000 in revenue, further solidifying its role in the Web3 ecosystem. Heloisa’s recognition as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 and one of the top 10 most influential people in crypto in Brazil underscores her significant contributions to the industry. Her work not only advances technology but also empowers communities by providing financial opportunities and inspiring the next generation of women in tech.

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Varuna Bangaleea, CEO of nVisionIT, is a seasoned IT executive with over 20 years of experience, recognized for her leadership in technology and dedication to social impact. Under her guidance, nVisionIT has achieved industry distinction, earning awards such as the Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year 2023 and the MEA Excellence Award in Software Engineering. Her approach to leadership combines technical expertise with a commitment to fostering innovation and inclusion in tech.

Bangaleea has driven transformative projects addressing societal challenges, including the LESPWAR Mobile Application, designed to combat gender-based violence by providing emergency alerts to authorities. This initiative has had a measurable impact on gender-based violence statistics in Mauritius. She has also led the development of critical applications like the Sekirite Mobile Application for elderly support and a Personal Emergency Rapid Response Solution to enhance public safety.

Her work in advancing e-government solutions in Mauritius includes initiatives such as the MAUPASS National Authentication Framework and the Electronic Queue Management System (EQMS), improving access to government services and administrative efficiency. Additionally, she has overseen significant technology solutions across sectors, such as an enterprise stock management system for Standard Bank Group, which serves over 250 branches across Africa.

Committed to diversity, Bangaleea mentors women in tech and actively participates in industry events, promoting knowledge sharing and a more inclusive technology ecosystem.

TECH DIPLOMACY AWARD

Audrey Plonk currently serves as one of the Deputy Directors of the Directorate for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) at the OECD, where she oversees a wide range of digital policy areas. These include data governance, artificial intelligence, and online security, as well as connectivity infrastructure. Her work focuses on advancing evidence-based policy analysis and fostering international collaboration on digital transformation.

From 2019 to 2023, Ms. Plonk was Head of STI’s Digital Economy Policy Division. She played a key role in leading two OECD committees and six working parties, notably organizing the 2022 Ministerial meeting and launching the Global Forum on Technology. She also contributed to the development of the OECD’s Declaration on Government Access to Personal Data Held by Private Sector Entities.

Before joining the OECD, Ms. Plonk worked for more than a decade at Intel Corporation, where she led global teams in areas like AI, autonomous driving, and cybersecurity policy. She specialized in China cyber policy and advised Intel’s business units on their strategic approach in the region. Ms. Plonk holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Audrey Plonk currently serves as one of the Deputy Directors of the Directorate for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) at the OECD, where she oversees a wide range of digital policy areas. These include data governance, artificial intelligence, and online security, as well as connectivity infrastructure. Her work focuses on advancing evidence-based policy analysis and fostering international collaboration on digital transformation.

From 2019 to 2023, Ms. Plonk was Head of STI’s Digital Economy Policy Division. She played a key role in leading two OECD committees and six working parties, notably organizing the 2022 Ministerial meeting and launching the Global Forum on Technology. She also contributed to the development of the OECD’s Declaration on Government Access to Personal Data Held by Private Sector Entities.

Before joining the OECD, Ms. Plonk worked for more than a decade at Intel Corporation, where she led global teams in areas like AI, autonomous driving, and cybersecurity policy. She specialized in China cyber policy and advised Intel’s business units on their strategic approach in the region. Ms. Plonk holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

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