Mirroring the entire local ecosystem, 240 finalists (220 individuals and 20 companies) make the shortlist from a pool of over 120 organisations and more than 325 nominations, spanning partner, telco, vendor and distributor businesses #WIICTA Credit: IDG-Owned ARN is proud to announce finalists of the Women in ICT Awards (WIICTA) in 2022, underpinned by record-breaking representation as female accomplishment and achievement hits new heights in Australia. Mirroring the entire local ecosystem, 240 finalists (220 individuals and 20 companies) make the shortlist from a pool of over 120 organisations and more than 325 nominations, spanning partner, telco, vendor and distributor businesses. Female leaders are located across the entire country from multiple states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. In 2022, WIICTA will house the largest celebration of female excellence within the technology channel across Australia — surpassing a record-breaking finalists haul in 2021 by more than 15 per cent. All career stages are in the spotlight from graduate-level entrants to well-established CEOs, in addition to inspiring entrepreneurs, creative thinkers and technical experts, as well as talent rising through the ranks and consistent high-performing individuals. This is also supported by both individual and company champions of D&I initiatives. Collectively, WIICTA in 2022 stands tall as the leading forum for setting the industry benchmark for female achievement across Australia. “This is a stunning display of emerging and established female talent in Australia,” said Cherry Yumul, vice president of Channel at Foundry. “Once again the bar has been raised by countless examples of inspirational women leading the way in technology — we are proud and privileged to be celebrating each and every one of them.” In 2022, WIICTA will honour the channel across eight categories, spanning Innovation, Technical, Entrepreneur, Graduate, Rising Star, Shining Star, Achievement and D&I Champion (Company and Individual) awards. In response to a wealth of standout submissions, specific categories have been divided to best acknowledge and highlight the depth of female talent in the Australian market. D&I Champion (Company), D&I Champion (Individual) and Graduate will be segmented into two sub-categories spanning Partner and Vendor / Distributor awards. Meanwhile, Achievement will include three sub-categories of Partner, Vendor and Distributor. Specific to Innovation, Rising Star and Shining Star, each will be divided into four sub-categories housing Partner (National), Partner (Multinational), Vendor and Distributor awards. National covers partners focused primarily on Australia — and New Zealand — markets while Multinational houses technology providers which also operate outside of the local industry at regional and global levels. This is in addition to Technical which will be segmented into three sub-categories, spanning Partner (National), Partner (Multinational) and Vendor / Distributor. “Our goal is simple, to ensure as many outstanding women are endorsed through this unique awards program in Australia,” Yumul added. “To have a record-breaking number of finalists means that we can once again provide a platform to connect as many inspiring females as possible in our inclusive and expansive community.” The winners will now be selected by an executive panel of more than 150 industry judges, acknowledging creativity, innovation and excellence. Set for Friday 20 May, the winners will be announced at an in-person celebration lunch at Hyatt Regency in Sydney. Foundry applies COVID-safe conditions of entry to in-person event formats. For more information — click here. ARN has celebrated gender diversity and recognised female excellence across the Australian channel since first launching WIICTA in 2012, acknowledging the achievements of a talented group of female front runners who have become influential figures across the local industry. ARN congratulates all finalists and thanks all organisations and individuals for taking the time to submit nominations. Finalists are listed below by name and organisation. INNOVATION This award recognises a creative-thinking candidate who is a standout in bringing innovation to life through a big picture and out-of-the-box approach to business. This individual is unrivalled at converting embryonic ideas into viable working solutions through a unique thought process designed to continually push the envelope. Partner (National): Jessica Thompson – 8Squad Elena Green – ASG Group Erica Smith – Blue Connections IT Annabel Preacher – Cevo Courtney Marx – Data#3 Sara Watkins – DevOps1 Parinaz Mohsenpour – Empired Danielle Buchner – Interactive Carla Kaine – Kaine Mathrick Tech Gill Walker – Opsis Santana Pham – Outcomex Partner (Multinational): Geraldine Triveno – Deloitte Nisha Trivedi – Exigo Tech Lisa Kirby – Kyndryl Danielle Dungo – Lacework Holly Popovic – Logicalis Joy Chua – MeldCX Sugam Mehta – Publicis Sapient Sanya Turkalj – Sourced Group Loretta Cain – Versent Vendor: Brearna Leopold – Crowdstrike Le Tran – Dropbox Stefanee Lovett – Google Cloud Kim Cook – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Natalie Garman – HP Naina Nair – Lenovo Tiffany Wright – Microsoft Anne Tran – Palo Alto Networks Jenana Roper – Schneider Electric Selena Theol – Telstra Brooke Witchard – Veeam Software Distributor: Maria Furnari – Dicker Data Meenakshi Kakar – Ingram Micro Emma Davidson – Nextgen Group Rachel Albrecht – Rhipe TECHNICAL This award recognises excellence in the form of technical and engineering expertise, honouring deep domain knowledge in relation to technology products, solutions and services. This candidate has provided business value through specialised skills and competence, spanning technical, pre-sales and support roles. Partner (National): Yulin Zhou – Arinco Sonia Vadera – Brennan IT Ane Hellman – CMD Solutions Swati Verma – Data#3 Michelle Phan – DevOps1 Betty Chen – Empired Laura Flynn – InfoTrust Nici Sindhav – Interactive Elena Kosobrodova – Kablamo Lizzie Reid – Kasna Erika Orozco – Tecala Avril Frost – The Missing Link Partner (Multinational): Susan Webb – DDLS Praveena Gatram – Exigo Tech Arushi Tyagi – Insight Vicky Rose – Kyndryl Eliza Parish – Publicis Sapient Saranyah Shanmugam – Slalom Lenka Bednarikova – Telstra Purple Celina Tang – WalkMe Vendor / Distributor: Corien Vermaak – Cisco Jodi Favaloro – Cradlepoint Audrey Jacquemart – Daltrey Aruna Kolluru – Dell Technologies Leah Kaplan – Google Cloud Ranjeetha Hegde – HP Kavyashree Virupakshappa – Lenovo Thasmika Gokal – Microsoft Beate Konrad – NEXTDC Rhiannon Markham – Palo Alto Networks Meethu Francis – Ping Identity Nilam Patel – Westcon-Comstor ENTREPRENEUR This award recognises an enterprising candidate with a risk-taking mentality, honouring excellence in launching new ventures, products or services. This individual has a proven background in building innovation from the ground up, evident through converting market-leading ideas into viable business offerings. Linda Connolly – Azenix Xara Tran – Champions of Change Nazia Mastali – CSO Group Katharine Duncan – Deloitte Tiffany Townsend – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Patricia Russell – RingCentral Rebecca Hall – Roma Computers Tracey Kingston – Taleka Angie Keeler – Zella DC GRADUATE This award recognises a standout graduate candidate who has leveraged apprenticeship programs to start a career within the ICT industry. Open to all roles and responsibilities, this individual has made an immediate and positive impact on the business through providing a fresh perspective and high levels of professionalism. Partner: Pallavi Tanjavur – Adactin Group Kiara Barbis – Blue Connections IT Tiana Douroudis – Clade Solutions Vanessa Kong – CMD Solutions Adrianna Naofal – CNS Vella Liu – CCNA Madeleine Stewart-Teh – Cyconsol Emily Jensen – Data#3 Caitlin Lawrence – Deloitte Michelle Owen – Empired Tina Gray – Interactive Carine Lim – Publicis Sapient Lilly Stephenson – The Missing Link Vendor / Distributor: Emerald Williamson – Cisco Olivia Dilanchian – Dell Technologies Sabriina Costa – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Shirley Huang – HP Tanya Filipcic – Ingram Micro Jamie Irawan – Microsoft Lavanya Krishnamurthy – Nintex Sanah Uberoy – Palo Alto Networks Bec Barford – Schneider Electric Marina Deletic – Spotify (formerly of Google Cloud) Mary Nikolakopoulos – Telstra Sarah Chalwell – VMware RISING STAR This award recognises a standout candidate rising through the ranks within the ICT industry, acknowledging significant advancement during the early stages of her technology career. This individual is growing in stature and importance through demonstrating outstanding business acumen, deep market expertise and high levels of professional integrity. This award is open to candidates with 10 years or less experience within the ICT industry. Partner (National): Dorota Martinez – 8Squad Akanksha Malik – Altis Consulting Olivia Radocchia – Best Technology Services Nina Zivkovic – DigIO Meryl Palma – Hosted Network Stephanie Gray – InfoTrust Hayley Jope – Interactive Madeleine McKenna – Kaine Mathrick Tech Frances Demetriou – Outcomex Jill Taylor – Security Centric Sita Bhat – Sekuro Karen Collins – Subnet Jemma Healy – Tecala Partner (Multinational): Bianca Isaacson – Accenture Emily Steele – CNS Rachel Welsh – CCNA Emily Horton – Deloitte Rebekah Malone – Exigo Tech Erandhi Mendis – Kyndryl Ami Mullenger – Lacework Morgan Tobin – Logicalis Eliza Marks – Publicis Sapient Natalie Anagnostopoulos – Sourced Group Gina Lam – Stax Vendor: Jessica Rose – Appian Bridget Maritz – Aruba, A Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Kelly Sabo – Cisco Karen Zhang – Google Cloud Lynette Ma – JAMF Elizabeth Fuller – Microsoft Delia Deng – SAP Lily Clarke – SAS Yassmin Hijazi – Telstra Alexandra Montgomery – Veeam Software Carolynn Zuzartee – VMware Christina Chung – Zscaler Distributor: Ash Barron – Arrow ECS Jun Lee – Ingram Micro Lisli Laanemets – Nextgen Group Ruth Lavelle – Rhipe SHINING STAR This award recognises an established candidate with a strong record of achievement, acknowledging excellence in spearheading company initiatives and driving strategic change. This individual is a consistent high performer who regularly achieves standout business results and continues to assume increased levels of seniority within the organisation. This award is open to candidates with between 11-20 years’ experience within the ICT industry. Partner (National): Amy Reynolds – APCD Maree Bilalovic – ASG Group Jayati Gulati – blueAPACHE Chanel Egan – Brennan IT Lisa Applegarth – Cevo Sandra Arena – Cube Networks Jamuna Jettigari – DevOps1 Sara Napier – GBM Technology Melissa Swanepoel – Kablamo Samantha Konieczka – Orro Group Demelza Green – Patient Zero Jane Nguyen – Pretzel Lab Partner (Multinational): Deepti Wadhwa – Cognizant Leanne Chang – Logicalis Nicola Dowe – Publicis Sapient Fatemah Beydoun – Secure Code Warrior Radhini Sivanathan – Slalom Sasha Jensen – Sourced Group Vendor: Catherine Unali – Cisco Helen Wilkinson – Dell Technologies Tanya Hovagimian – ExtraHop Amelia Seow – GitLab Nerissa Penfold – Google Cloud Helen Roberts – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Rajalakshmy Nair – HP Penelope Feros – Ivanti Samantha Said – Microsoft Kate Basten – Palo Alto Networks Astrid Groves – Schneider Electric Olga Specjalska – VMware Distributor: Donna Dowton – Arrow ECS Amanda O’Brien – Ingram Micro Larissa Crabb – Westcon-Comstor ACHIEVEMENT This award recognises a standout candidate who has delivered an unrivalled contribution to the ICT industry, evident through outstanding professional and personal achievements. This individual has earned a reputation as an esteemed thought leader following a distinguished career as both a business leader and role model for aspiring executives. This award is open to candidates with 21 years or more experience within the ICT industry. Partner: Veronica Coyle – Altis Consulting / Data4Good Claudia Pirko – BlackLine Jane Murphy – Blue Connections IT Jane Baldock – Business Aspect Janelle Phillips – Data#3 Jo Poirrier – Empired Jean Smith – Interactive Rima Yammouni – Kyndryl Kate Raulings – Logicalis Theresa Eyssens – Optus Lisa Papli – Somerville Vendor: Iris Chan – Autodesk Lynn Nicol – Dell Technologies Helen Stewart – Google Cloud Yvette McEnearney – GoTo Julie Barbieri – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Elizabeth James – HP Lorraine Costello – Okta Lisa Sim – Palo Alto Networks Tanya Song – Telstra Marie Holmes – VMware Distributor: Rhonda Robati – Crayon Angela Aspropotamitis – Ingram Micro Veronica Kruse – Nextgen Group D&I CHAMPION – Company This award recognises the standout company in driving diversity and inclusion (D&I) across all aspects of the business, spanning employees, customers and key stakeholders. This organisation has gone beyond a surface-level commitment through the introduction of policies and programs to meet D&I goals, evident through targeted initiatives, strong leadership and clearly defined deliverables. This award is open to all aspects of diversity and inclusion (gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation etc). Partner: Altis Consulting Araza Deloitte InfoTrust Logicalis Mantel Group Orro Group Outcomex Powernet IT Solutions Vendor / Distributor: Access4 Dell Technologies Dicker Data Fluent Commerce Hewlett Packard Enterprise HP Microsoft Nextgen Group Palo Alto Networks Schneider Electric VMware D&I CHAMPION – Individual This award recognises an influential individual who actively drives diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives through mentoring and thought leadership across the ICT industry. This candidate acts as a role model for aspiring executives, cultivating diverse teams to drive change both internally and externally. This award is open to all aspects of diversity and inclusion (gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation etc). Partner: Sheeza Shakeel – Accenture Sukanya Suryakumar – Adactin Group Tanya Manderson – ASG Group Heidi Mangan – Data#3 Anle-Marne Pretorius – Empired Katherine Clayton – Insight Bronwyn Grantham – Kyndryl Regina Melamed – Linktech Fiona Patrick – Logicalis Jen Glass – Slalom Leah Cerinich – Sourced Group Vendor / Distributor: Courtney Connolly – Appian Holly O’Toole – Cisco Phoebe Gunter – Google Cloud Simone Filetti – Hewlett Packard Enterprise Nicola Clancy – HP Sonia Phillips – Ingram Micro Sally McIntosh – Nextgen Group Delia Deng – SAP Monica Keith – Schneider Electric Nadine Russell – Telstra Heidi Savva – VMware For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities or event details — click here. 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