More than 110 individuals make the final shortlist in 2020 ARN is proud to announce the finalists of the 2020 Women in ICT Awards (WIICTA), playing host to the leading female front runners across the Australian channel. More than 110 individuals made the final shortlist in 2020, representing more than 100 organisations in the most competitive line-up in the history of the awards. This year has seen a record number of submissions across a range of categories, including Entrepreneur; Rising Star; Shining Star; Community; Technical and Achievement. As with last year, the awards were again expanded in recognition of the quality and volume of nominations, with both the Rising Star and Shining Star categories split to cover Partner; Vendor and Distributor awards, highlighting the depth of emerging and established talent in the Australian market. Since launching in 2012, WIICTA has acknowledged the achievements of a talented group of female leaders and innovators who have become influential figures across the local ICT industry. The finalist submissions were selected by a shortlist panel consisting of ARN Editor Leon Spencer and ARN Senior Journalist Julia Talevski. The winners will now be selected by a panel of more than 40 industry judges, acknowledging the remarkable creativity, innovation and excellence on display. This year's ARN WIICTA winners will be revealed at a virtual event on Friday 20 November that will celebrate and recognise the female leaders of the local ICT industry and provide a platform to celebrate channel success in Australia. ARN congratulates all finalists and thanks all organisations and individuals for taking the time to submit nominations. ACHIEVEMENT The Achievement award recognises the candidate showing outstanding commitment to the ICT industry through continuous career development and professional achievements. The candidate will have risen to a senior ICT role, earned a reputation as an esteemed thought-leader and is recognised as a leader in the industry, and may also act as a role model/mentor to other aspiring female managers. Nicki Bowers – Arinco Adele Pickering – centreRED Alexandra Coates – Datacom Kelly Drewett – Expose Chelsea Rossney – HP Emily Rich – Microsoft Rajitha Rajasingham – Oreta Frederique Dennison – SixPivot Nicki Dewhurst – Sophos Salma Datenis – Sourced Group Nevash Pillay – Telstra Janet Docherty – Veeam COMMUNITY The Community award recognises the candidate with exemplary service within the ICT industry, through initiatives and efforts to foster positive diversity outcomes. This candidate will be actively making a difference by working towards the advancement of gender and general diversity within technology, going above and beyond to give back to the community. Hannah Pearce – Arq Group Courtney Carr – DXC Technology Bernadeth Lucanas – Google Rachael Williams – HP Jade Moffat – IBM A/NZ Tracey Naidoo – Insight Karen Rosenkowitz – Lenovo Data Center Group Beth Worrall – Microsoft Sammy Herbert – SixPivot Karen Drewitt – The Missing Link ENTREPRENEUR The Entrepreneur award recognises the candidate who has achieved outstanding results in the ICT industry and is an enterprising individual who has achieved success through risk-taking and proven initiative, often challenging the status quo in business in order to set up new ventures, products or new services. Maria Padisetti – Digital Armour Christina Price – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Julia Sinton – Lenovo A/NZ Laura Veness – Network Solutions Group Rajitha Rajasingham – Oreta Maryanne Demery – Seccom Global Karen Giles – Syntech IT Kath Blackham – VERSA Agency INNOVATION The Innovation award recognises the candidate who is a stand-out in delivering 'big picture' ideas and vision within the ICT industry, thereby responding to change and discovering unique and exciting business opportunities. This candidate has highlighted a proven track record of finding new and better ways of doing business, through continually pushing the envelope. Kirstie Elderfield – ASI Solutions Kellie King – Cleared Beth Skurrie – DiUS Nikita Dhami – DXC Technology Anita D’Brass – NBN Co Frederique Dennison – SixPivot Emma Davidson – Tech Data Maria Tsiaplis – Telstra Deirdre Coetzee – The Missing Link May Mun – Thomas Duryea Logicalis Rose Herden – Veeam Software TECHNICAL The Technical award recognises the candidate who has excelled in the technical and engineering segment of the ICT industry, demonstrating a proven depth of knowledge and abilities. This candidate has demonstrated excellence in problem-solving and decision-making skills, backed by an exemplary level of accomplishment in job performance. Sara van de Moosdijk – Amazon Web Services Corine Liang – DiUS Azadeh Khojandi – Microsoft Wing-yan Louey – MNF Group Pearlie Zhang – NEXTDC Mitali Guruchal – Nutanix Sarah Dewan – Secure Agility Secil Yanik – Sophos Leonie Visser – Telstra Jyoti Sharma – Verizon Enterprise Solutions Kim Crawshay – Vocus RISING STAR The Rising Star awards recognise candidates with less than eight years experience within the ICT industry, who demonstrate commitment to continuous career advancement with a proven desire to reach the next level of professional development. This candidate is fast growing in importance within the industry, through demonstrating outstanding business acumen and professional integrity. RISING STAR – PARTNER Amanda Milin – Arq Group Rebecca Lowe – ASI Solutions Rahwa Salew – blueAPACHE Ayleshia Pillay – CustomTec Victoria Whitmore – DDLS Jennifer Ranson – DWM Solutions Trisha Gidwani – DXC Technology Nikki Mudge – eNerds Sarah Loughlin – Insight Enterprises Australia Jenessa O’Conell – KPMG Australia Keely Thurecht – NTT Ltd. Sharlie Raymond – Outcomex Niamh Brady – Seccom Global Maddie Rothwell – The Missing Link Ashlee Richardson – Thomas Duryea Logicalis Megan Stamatis – Veritec RISING STAR – VENDOR Dayana Vucic – 8×8 Emma Pezzimenti – Aussie Broadband Lauren Young – Citrix Chantell Cao – Cisco Sarah Vodicka – CrowdStrike Lauren Escalona – Datto, Inc. Jessica Robinet – Lenovo A/NZ Arabella Mason – Microsoft Lucy Grigg – Mimecast Katrina Fox – NBN Co Charnelle Willis – Sophos Pia Veloz – Telstra Avipsa Padhi – Veeam Software Nikki Saunders – Vocus RISING STAR – DISTRIBUTOR Sanya Turkalj – Arrow Brooke Said – Comsol Anna Christensen – Exclusive Networks Gabe Marzano – NEXTGEN SHINING STAR The Shining Star awards recognise candidates with eight years or more experience within the ICT industry. This candidate will have recorded notable achievements during a successful career, evident through promotion or successful project/company initiatives. SHINING STAR – PARTNER Deirdre Stankard – Blackbook.ai Renata Di Stefano – blueAPACHE Hetal Dave – Bridged Group Jeni Clift – DWM Solutions Kelly Drewett – Expose Jessica Elton – First Focus IT Karla Dwyer – Fujitsu Australia Limited Smitha Anilkumar – NTT Ltd. Megan Visser – Powernet IT Solutions Anita Sheridan-Roddick – Seccom Global Sarah Dewan – Secure Agility Salma Datenis – Sourced Group Jennifer Favelle – Tecala Emily Curlewis – Veritec Mathangi (Mathu) Shanmugam – Verizon Business SHINING STAR – VENDOR Corrie Briscoe – Amazon Web Services Nikki Kovacevic – Aussie Broadband Rebecca Bradburne – BlackBerry Louise Bramston – Dell Technologies Kia Lagopodis – Eaton Kushal Chandran – HP Sara Palmieri – Lenovo ANZ Shiva Movahedi – Microsoft Asher Tarren – NBN Co Eileen Tan – Nintex Rachel Willoughby – Nutanix Patricia Polak – Telstra Aggie Grom – Veeam Software Renee Cathcart – VMware SHINING STAR – DISTRIBUTOR Kate Davis – Dicker Data Angela Conlon – Exclusive Networks Sally McIntosh – NEXTGEN Michelle Clements – rhipe Belinda Balchin – Westcon-Comstor ARN congratulates all finalists and thanks all organisations and individuals for taking the time to submit nominations. Related content news Digital hub reopens in Cremorne The hub previously operated in a “very limited capacity” and could not roll out program and hold industry events prior to the refurbishment. By Sasha Karen 24 Apr 2024 2 mins Business Operations Emerging Technology Industry news HP brings AI PCs to Australia Includes extra processing power for AI workloads. By Sasha Karen 24 Apr 2024 2 mins Emerging Technology Vendors and Providers news UST acquires Sydney-based Strativity Group to boost CX, design skills Under UST, Strativity will lead the multinational's CX strategy and design solution offering in A/NZ. By Sasha Karen 24 Apr 2024 2 mins Mergers and Acquisitions IT Management Business Operations news Kore.ai expands into A/NZ hiring Paul Rilstone Based in Sydney, Rilstone will be responsible for propelling the company’s A/NZ presence and sales growth in the generative AI enterprise market. By Julia Talevski 24 Apr 2024 2 mins Careers Emerging Technology SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe