Technology Association of Iowa announces 2009 Women of Innovation Award Finalists
Contact:
Leann Jacobson, President
Technology Association of Iowa
515.707.1557 Mobile
TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF IOWA ANNOUNCES 2009 AWARD FINALISTS
Awards Program to Honor Women Leaders in Technology, Science and Engineering
Des Moines, IA (October 19, 2009). The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) announced the finalists for the second annual Iowa Women of Innovation Awards Presentation – a premier event to elevate and celebrate women leaders in science, technology and engineering. Nine awards will be given to recognize women in Iowa’s workforce who are trail blazers and role models in their fields. Students at both the high school and college levels will also be recognized for their studies and accomplishments.
The winner in each of the nine award categories will be announced during the 2009 Women of Innovation Awards Dinner held at the Meadows Events & Conference Center on Tuesday, November 10.
“This year's list of nominees is truly humbling,” said Leann Jacobson, TAI president. “TAI and our community are honored to have the opportunity to showcase their achievement and impact. We hope that this event inspires other women to take action in pursuing science and technology in Iowa.”
Nearly 70 nominations were submitted for women from communities across the state. Finalists represent a range of backgrounds: teachers, researchers, technologists, vice-presidents, presidents, CIOs, and CEOs, among other titles. They include scholarship winners and providers. Many nominees are nationally and internationally recognized through various publications, panels, and media outlets. They all represent excellence in innovation and leadership.
Finalists also include high school, undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated extraordinary and unique achievements. The winner in both the Youth and Collegian Innovation and Leadership categories will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
The 2009 Women of Innovation awards finalists are, by category:
Research Innovation and Leadership
- Dr. Keri Hornbuckle, University of Iowa College of Engineering
- Dr. Tong "Toni" Wang, Iowa State University
- Dr. Wallapak Tavanapong, Iowa State University Department of Computer Science
Academic Innovation and Leadership (Secondary)
- Cathy Walz, Cedar Valley Catholic Schools
- Julie Hill, Lisbon Community School District
Academic Innovation and Leadership (Post-Secondary)
- Dr. Gail Bishop, University of Iowa College of Medicine
- Dr. Jennifer Fiegel, University of Iowa
- Dr. Kris Kilibarda, Central College
- Dr. Robyn Lutz, Iowa State Universitiy Department of Computer Science
- Dr. Tonya Peeples, University of Iowa College of Engineering
Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership
- Anita Messerschmidt, Embark IT
- Christal Mickle, KemPharm, Inc.
- Jane Whalen, Midwest Project Partners
- Shannon Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
Government/Non-Profit Innovation and Leadership
- Gail George, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Jenny Puffer, Des Moines Water Works
- Linda Bisgaard, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
- Susan Heathcote, Iowa Environmental Council
- Tracy Warner, City of Ames Public Works Department
Large Company - Innovation
- Katie Coates, Rockwell Collins
- Samantha Rollins, General Electric
- Sarah Barber, Rockwell Collins
- Dr. Zoraida DeFreitas, Kemin Health
Large Company - Leadership
- Christina McNeeley, Nationwide Insurance
- Diana Hedrick, Pella
- Jenny Edmundson, Pella
- Louise Billmeyer, Principal Financial Group
- Nan Mattai, Rockwell Collins
Youth Innovation and Leadership
- Avanthi Ahharapu, Ames High School
- Caitlin Fikes, Glenwood High School
- Darcy Spellman, Woodward-Granger High School
- Hillary Stintsman, Chariton High School
- Kensley Pottebaum, Vinton Shellsburgh High School
- Meghana Pagadala, Rivermont Collegiate
- Molly Richardson, Indianola High School
- Pavane Gorrepati, Rivermont Collegiate
Collegian Innovation and Leadership
- Alexandra Keenan, University of Iowa College of Engineering
- Erin Allen, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy
- Jessica Tobelmann, Iowa State University
- Katie Githens, Iowa State University Dept. of Computer Science
- Laurie Eckert, University of Iowa College of Pharmacy
- Nicole Vogl, Iowa State University Program for Women in Science and Engineering
- Nidhi Sahni, University of Iowa Department of Biology
- Wendy Kleve, Iowa State University Women in Science and Engineering
Finalists were nominated by their peers and selected based on their professional experience, history of innovation, ability to think creatively and solve problems, and demonstration of leadership. Students were judged on inventiveness and accomplishment in science and technology, as well as academic achievement. Finalists were selected by the following panel of distinguished judges:
- Dr. Lilia Abron, PE, DEE, President, PEER Consultants, PC
- Janet E. Phipps Burkhead, Attorney – McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC; and Brigadier General , Iowa Army National Guard
- Max Phillips, President, Qwest – Iowa
- Gary Scholten, Executive Vice President and CIO, Principal Financial Group
- David Sengpiel, Senior Investment Manager, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
The 2009 Women of Innovation Awards will be presented at the Meadows Conference Events Center on Tuesday, November 10 beginning with a VIP Reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m., and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. The event will include a keynote presentation by Dr. Lilia Abron, PE, DEE, President of PEER Consultants, PC. A special Student Session will also be held from 3 – 6 p.m.
Individual tickets and table sponsorships are still available. For additional information or to register, visit www.technologyiowa.org or call at 515.280.7702.
The Women of Innovation Awards are made possible by the generous support of its sponsors: Rockwell Collins, Principal Financial Group and the Iowa Math and Science Education Partnership.
About Technology Association of Iowa. TAI is a member-based, not-for-profit organization accelerating the success of Iowa’s technology industry. TAI works to create and sustain a positive environment for technology-based economic growth and job creation through innovation, advocacy, and leadership. TAI members include organizations of every size − involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Iowa. More information about the TAI can be found at its web site, located at www.technologyiowa.org.
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