Celebrating Excellence: The Finalists of the Scotland Women in Technology (SWiT) Awards 2024
The Scotland Women in Technology (SWiT) Awards have become a hallmark of recognition for the outstanding contributions of women in the tech sector. This year, the finalists for the 2024 awards were unveiled during a vibrant showcase event held at Morgan Stanley in Glasgow. With 33 individuals from 27 organizations nominated across 10 categories, the awards highlight the relentless efforts to elevate the profile of women in technology and promote gender equity within the industry.
A Refreshing New Look for 2024
The SWiT Awards have undergone a refreshing transformation for 2024, introducing four new categories that reflect the evolving landscape of the tech industry. The new categories—Mentor of the Year, Unsung Hero Award, Career Changer of the Year, and Everyday Leader Award—aim to recognize a broader spectrum of contributions made by women in technology. This expansion underscores the commitment to not only celebrate established leaders but also to acknowledge those who are making significant impacts in various capacities.
Among the nominees in these new categories are remarkable individuals from esteemed organizations such as Interaktiv, AND Digital, Barclays, Accenture, Amazon Web Services, Edinburgh Napier University, Nucleus Financial, Digital Skills Education, and Lloyds Banking Group. Their dedication to advancing gender equity and their passion for technology are evident in their nominations.
Inspirational Women Leading the Charge
One of the most competitive categories this year is the Inspirational Woman of the Year. Five exceptional women have been shortlisted, each bringing unique experiences and achievements to the table. The nominees include:
- Patty O’Callaghan, Technical Director at Charles River Laboratories
- Chelsea Jarvie, Chief Information Security Officer at MDU
- Yemi Scott, Founder of XRology
- Hannah Fennah, AVP Full Stack Developer at Barclays
- Caroline Roberts Haritonov, Managing Director and Chief Consultant at Astrimar
These women exemplify leadership and innovation in their respective fields, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
A Testament to Collective Efforts
Silka Patel, Founder and Chair of Scotland Women in Technology, expressed her admiration for the caliber of entries this year. “Each year, the judges and I discuss how difficult it is to create a shortlist for the awards. With over 200 entries received this year alone, we were blown away by the calibre of programmes and efforts to champion and inspire women working in the Scottish tech sector,” she stated. Patel emphasized that the growing recognition of women’s contributions in technology is a testament to the collective efforts of trailblazing women and their allies.
The Road to the Awards Ceremony
The anticipation is building as the winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, 7th November, at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow. This year, Morgan Stanley is the Headline Sponsor, with JPMorgan Chase serving as the Gold Sponsor. Both organizations are committed to advocating for women in technology and fostering a diverse workforce.
Gordon Stein, Head of Glasgow Technology at Morgan Stanley, remarked, “Morgan Stanley is a passionate advocate for women in technology and proud to be the headline sponsor of the Scotland Women in Technology Awards. As a company that has greatly benefited from strong representation of women in our senior ranks and a diverse workforce overall, we are excited to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women in tech across Scotland.”
Mark Napier, Glasgow Technology Centre Lead at JPMorgan Chase, echoed this sentiment, stating, “JPMorgan Chase is once again proud to sponsor the Scotland Women in Technology Awards. We are looking forward to coming together to honour and celebrate the incredible tech talent we have in Scotland. This is extremely important to the ongoing success of our organization and growth within the sector.”
The Full Shortlist of Nominees
The full shortlist of nominees for the SWiT Awards 2024 showcases a diverse range of talent and dedication across various categories:
Mentor of the Year Award (Sponsored by Harvey Nash)
- Jenny Björkman, Co-Founder, Interaktiv
- Omowumi Akintokun, Student
- Ruth McDonald, Product Lead, AND Digital
- Zhou Zhou, Agile Strategy & Transformation, Barclays
Gender Diversity Ally of the Year
- Krit Singhania, Technology Analyst, Barclays
- Adam Pettman, Head of Innovation, 2i Testing
Diversity Initiative of the Year
- Caroline Laurenson, Managing Director, TL Tech Smart
- Karen Stewart, Risk Manager, Morgan Stanley
- Louise Smith, Senior Technical Program Manager, Amazon
Rising Star Award (Sponsored by 2i Testing)
- Ayela Gilani, Software Engineer, JPMorgan Chase
- Ainhoa Smithers Bernaras, Morgan Stanley
- Ufonabasi Udak Umo, Software Engineer, JPMorgan Chase
- Melina Garcia Ayala, Art Director / General Organiser, Cyber in Schools / HubWorld
Everyday Leader Award (Sponsored by i-confidential)
- Kristy Moir, Business Systems Analyst, Leidos
- Zanna Olestsik, UX/UI Designer, Next Gen Engineering, Accenture
- Hillary Prather, Senior Software Development Engineer, Amazon Web Services
- Heather McCollum, UX Design Lead, Barclays
Career Changer of the Year
- Pamela Corsar, Manufacturing Manager, Epipole
- Shalu Madan, System Support Advisor, Edinburgh Napier University
- Emma Antonelli, Programme Manager, Nucleus Financial
Unsung Hero Award
- Kirstie Steele, Project Manager, Digital Skills Education
- Gemma McDonald, Software Engineer, Barclays
- Reshmi McIntosh, Product Owner: Digitally Safe & Secure, Lloyds Banking Group
Inspirational Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Zühlke)
- Patty O’Callaghan, Technical Director, Charles River Laboratories
- Chelsea Jarvie, Chief Information Security Officer, MDU
- Yemi Scott, Founder, XRology
- Hannah Fennah, AVP Full Stack Developer, Barclays
- Caroline Roberts Haritonov, Managing Director and Chief Consultant, Astrimar
Inclusive Recruiter of the Year
- Laura Blackwood (Hymans), Harvey Nash
Judges Choice
- Dionne Macintosh, Test Engineer, 2i Testing
- Rohini Syed, Data Analyst, Barclays
- Bukola Popoola, Manager, PWC
- Amina Okhai, Tech Women Today
Conclusion
The SWiT Awards 2024 not only celebrate the achievements of women in technology but also serve as a platform to inspire future generations. As the tech industry continues to evolve, the recognition of diverse talents and the promotion of gender equity remain crucial. The upcoming awards ceremony promises to be a night of celebration, inspiration, and empowerment, showcasing the incredible contributions of women in Scotland’s tech landscape. For more information about the awards and to stay updated, visit Scotland Women in Technology.