Women in Technology Announces Finalists for 27th Annual Leadership Awards

Recognizing Women Leaders Who Build Opportunity in Technology Through Mentorship

Falls Church, VA – January 27, 2026 – Women in Technology (WIT), the premier organization contributing to the success of professional women in the Washington, D.C. area technology community, today announced the finalists for the 27th Annual Leadership Awards. This awards program recognizes extraordinary women at every stage of their careers, from emerging talent to seasoned executives, along with the organizations and allies who support excellence, mentorship, and opportunity in the technology sector. 

The finalists for the 27th Annual Women in Technology Leadership Awards are as follows:

Corporate Large Market Sector

  • Brandy Durham, MANTECH
  • Jennifer Felix, ASRC Federal
  • Ratima Kataria, ICF
  • Kim Lynch, Oracle
  • Deniece Peterson, Deltek

Corporate Mid-Market Sector

  • Holly Bone, Alpha Omega
  • Zhenia Klevitsky, ITC Federal
  • Penelope Merced, MidCap Financial
  • Lauri Reishus, ARC
  • Jen Thibodeau, BTI360

Corporate Small-Market Sector

  • Jocelyn Alexander, ThinkTek
  • Kasey Card, Chartis Federal
  • Melissa Jewett, Dark Wolf
  • Rebecca McMinn, Bart & Associates, LLC (B&A)
  • Karla Reffold, Surefire Cyber

Emerging Leader

  • Amy Bahrani, Accenture Federal Services
  • Miranda O’Connor, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Sarah Piekarski, BTI360
  • Naga Lalitha Sree Thatavarthi, American Physical Therapy Association

Founder/Entrepreneur

  • Shanikqua Burks, Presales Advancement and Training Hub (PATH) Foundation
  • Stacey Champagne, Women’s Cybersecurity Alliance (WCA)
  • Aisha Niazi, Annexos 

Public Sector and Education

  • Andi Fisher-Colwill, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Kimberly Long, DHS Cyber Crimes Center
  • Amy Ritualo, U.S. Department of State
  • Kristin Ruiz, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • Paula Sorrell, George Mason University

Rising Star

  • Abigail Hensley, Army Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Office (Army TENCAP)
  • Elise Joyce, SEI
  • Elisa Luckabaugh, BlackSky
  • Laura Rodriguez, U.S. Space Force
  • Tayelor Thrasher-Walker, SAIC

Trailblazer in Tech Innovation

  • Rakshana Balakrishnan, Oracle
  • Vaidehi Koppolu, District of Columbia Courts
  • Amanda Molina, Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Kathlean O'Connor, GDIT
  • Rayette Toles-Abdullah, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Unsung Hero

  • Brittany Dershewitz, SEI
  • Shay Donelson, Sev1Tech
  • Summer Lee, SAIC
  • Sarah Montague, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Elisa Waske, Capgemini Government Solutions

“The Washington, D.C. region continues to be a center for innovation, and this year’s finalists reflect that momentum,” said Daphne Wotherspoon, president of WIT. “This awards program is a defining moment for WIT each year, and we are proud to recognize these remarkable women shaping the future of the technology field and inspiring those to follow in their footsteps.”

This year’s awards are anchored in the theme Mentor–Protégé, celebrating the power of mentorship and these leaders who have shared knowledge and opened doors for other women in technology. For more than two decades, WIT’s Mentor–Protégé program has served as a cornerstone of our mission, pairing mentors with professional women looking for insight, direction, and knowledge for career advancement and success. Since its launch, WIT has supported nearly 1,400 protégés through 54 Mentor–Protégé cohorts and is now accepting applications for program 55.

WIT will announce the winners at the 27th Annual Leadership Awards Gala on May 6, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia. For information about sponsorship packages and to purchase tables or individual tickets, please visit https://www.womenintechnology.org/leadership-awards. #WITLA2026

About Women in Technology
Women in Technology (WIT) is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of advancing women in technology — from the classroom to the boardroom.  With more than 1,000 members in the Washington, D.C. area, WIT fulfills its vision by providing leadership development, technology education, networking, and mentoring opportunities for women at all levels of their careers and for girls interested in STEM. For more information, please visit: womenintechnology.org or connect with us via Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter (@WITWomen).

Media Contact
Women in Technology (WIT)
Reggie Kouba, 703-349-1044
[email protected]