Eighteenth Annual Women in Technology Leadership Awards
 
The Annual Leadership Awards are a highlight for WIT members and the Washington, DC area technology community. Drawing 300+ attendees, the WIT Leadership Awards program honors highly successful women how have made mentoring the next generation of leaders a significant component of their own success.
 
Nomination Deadline:  Extended to December 9, 2016
Awards Banquet: May 11, 2017
 
OVERAL NOMINATION CRITERIA AND AWARD CATEGORIES
 
  • Nominees must be women who work in or support the technology industry
  • Nominees must be located in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington, D.C.
  • If selected as a finalist, nominees must be available to attend a VIP Reception and the Awards Banquet
  • Nominees must be amenable to press coverage
The finalists will be announced in February 2017, and every nominee will be informed if she has been selected as a finalist or not. One award will be made in each category.
 
Award Categories:
 
1. Corporate – Large-Market Sector
  • Purpose: To honor a woman who demonstrates exemplary leadership traits at a business entity with annual revenue of greater than $750 million serving customers in the commercial, government or non-profit space. 
    Eligibility: A woman who works in a private-sector business entity (greater than $750 million in revenue).  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal Candidate: A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who contributes to the community and who satisfies all selection criteria.
2. Corporate – Mid-Market  Sector
  • Purpose: To honor a woman who demonstrates exemplary leadership traits at a business entity with annual revenue between $50 million and $750 million serving customers in the commercial, government or non-profit space. 
    Eligibility: A woman who works in a private-sector business entity (between $50 million and $750 million in revenue).  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal Candidate: A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who contributes to the community, and who satisfies all selection criteria.
3. Corporate - Small-Market Sector
  • Purpose: To honor a woman who demonstrates exemplary leadership traits at a business entity with annual revenue less than $50 million serving customers in the commercial or government space. 
    Eligibility: A woman who works in a private-sector business entity (less than $50 million in revenue).  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal Candidate: A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who contributes to the community, and who satisfies all selection criteria.
4. Government
  • Purpose: To honor a woman working for a government agency who demonstrates exemplary leadership traits. 
  • Eligibility: A woman who works in federal, state or local government, including a civilian working for the Department of Defense or one of the military services.  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal candidate: A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who contributes to the community, and who satisfies all selection criteria.
5. Small Business / Entrepreneur
  • Purpose: To honor a woman who demonstrates exemplary leadership traits at a business entity with annual revenue of less than $50 million or is an entrepreneur who has demonstrated exemplary leadership traits by starting and operating her own business.
  • Eligibility: A woman who works in a private-sector business entity (less than $50 million in revenue) in the technology industry and/or owns a business (or has an equity share of at least 50%) that has been in operation for a minimum of two years.  The business headquarters must be located in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area.  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal Candidate: A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who contributes to the community, and who satisfies all selection criteria.
6. Technical Leadership
  • Purpose: To honor a woman providing great leadership and exemplary technical abilities in a technology role. 
    Eligibility: A woman who works for an organization in a technical leadership role.  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal Candidate: A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who has met difficult technical requirements, earned the respect of acknowledged technical experts, contributes to the community, and satisfies all selection criteria.
7. Unsung Hero
  • Purpose: To honor a woman who is managing major technology projects at the project manager level, working in the trenches daily, and making a major impact on technology.  
  • Eligibility: A woman who works in the technology industry at the project manager level.  She does not need to be a WIT member.
  • Ideal Candidate:  A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship, who contributes to the community, and who satisfies all selection criteria.
8. Rising Star
  • Purpose: To honor a woman, with 10 years or less of work experience, who has demonstrated exemplary leadership traits at an early point in her career.
  • Eligibility: A woman from government or industry working in or supporting the technology field who is in the beginning stages of her career.  She does not need to be a member of WIT. 
  • Ideal Candidate: A woman who is a rising star with high potential for future advancement. She has distinguished herself from her peers, consistently exceeding performance expectations for her level, contributes to the community, and satisfies all selection criteria.
9. Women in Defense
  • Purpose: To honor a woman serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or a recent veteran who demonstrates exemplary leadership traits.
  • Eligibility: A woman who is currently active in the military or has active service with the last five years.  She does not need to be a member of WIT.
  • Ideal candidate:  A woman who has accelerated and advanced her career beyond typical performance expectations while providing exceptional leadership and mentorship in a military setting in technology or through the use of technology, who contributes to the community, and who satisfies all selection criteria.
 
NOMINATION  PROCESS AND SELECTION CRITERIA
In the automated nomination process you will be asked to provide basic identifying information about the candidate and yourself as her nominator (organization, title, etc.).  You will then be prompted to provide evidence for each of the criteria listed below.  You are given up to 2,000 characters to describe how your candidate meets or exceeds each criteria.  You improve your candidate’s chances of selection for the award if you provide specific examples of the ways in which your candidate has met this criteria rather than making generalized statements.  Remember this is an  award with a particular focus on how women of achievement have led and mentored others to be successful in their careers.  Both aspects must be addressed.  You should include evidence to support each of the criteria in the appropriate category.  You will also have an opportunity to attach the candidates resume or bio if available to you.
Selection Criteria
Candidates will be judged based on the specific evidence provided in the nomination form that demonstrates their embodiment of WIT values.  You will be asked to provide discrete, specific examples of what your candidate has achieved and how your candidate has demonstrated that she is an example of these values:
 
1. Achievement: Achieving Success in a Technology Field or an Organization in the Technology Industry
  • Achieved a high level of success and competency.
  • Demonstrates success at implementing or promoting technology, management principles or specific operational/organizational processes.
  • Acts with boldness by taking smart risks to advance organizational and personal goals. Risks may have yielded both successful and unsuccessful outcomes – learns from the outcome in either case.
2. Leadership: Empowering Her Team to be Architects of Change in the Technology Industry
  • Demonstrates the ability to create and implement a vision for her team. Visible leader as a pioneer of change.
  • Motivates employees and team members and has a tangible track record to show it.
  • Leads by example. Inspires employees and team members to take smart risks and to drive positive change in their professional lives.
3. Mentorship: Advancing Women in Technology from the Classroom to the Boardroom
  • Mentors other women above, below and at her career level.
  • Develops future women leaders in her profession and/or community.
  • Advocates for other women and enables positive things to happen in their careers.
4. Community Engagement: Extracurricular Activities and Community/Civic Involvement
  • Engages in activities beyond her job responsibilities that contribute to helping and improving conditions of others on the job or in the wider community.
  • Encourages and enables a legacy of strong female leaders in the industry or in the community.
  • Focuses on efforts to advance the growth of girls and women in the technology industry.
 
Begin a Nomination