Women in Tech® Global Awards 2024 Winners

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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.

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.

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 Brazil, targeting the gender gap in tech. This initiative offers free training and key certifications in fields like cybersecurity and software development, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Since its launch, over 3,800 women have registered, with 250 certifications awarded in 2023.

The program includes mentoring from female tech experts and partnerships with companies like Oracle and Cisco. Recognized globally, it aims for 5,000 registrations in 2024. Marilia’s leadership has garnered accolades, including the NTT DATA AWARD for its impactful contributions to gender equality in technology.

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.

ASPIRING TEEN AWARD

Natalia Vargas is a young entrepreneur and scientist from Lima, Peru, leading «Misión Kosmos,» Latin America’s first space camp. The program teaches space sciences and practical STEM skills through hands-on projects. She has offered free STEM classes to Peruvian youth and contributed to educational initiatives for underprivileged children. Natalia has represented her school in international competitions and conducted research on environmental and health topics related to space missions.

Additionally, she has organized community events impacting over 600 people and founded «Kaysiri,» promoting healthy lifestyles. Currently, she is on scholarship with University Placement, helping vulnerable students apply to U.S. universities.

Women in Tech® Global Awards 2024 Nominees

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