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Our Panelists

Ariana Amparan
2025 Leadership Awards Winner - Corporate Small-Market Sector Category
Proveo Automation

Ariana Amparan is the Chief Operations Officer at Proveo Automation, where she drives strategic initiatives and operational excellence, leveraging over 20 years of experience across the private and public sectors. Previously, she led transformative technology projects at the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), spearheading initiatives that modernized systems, increased revenue, and enhanced customer satisfaction. 

A first-generation Latina professional from California of Mexican descent, Ariana is deeply committed to increasing representation in technology. She serves as the President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of Latinas in Tech, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latinas through professional development, mentorship, and career opportunities. Under her leadership, the chapter has expanded its reach, creating strategic partnerships and hosting impactful events that foster community and growth for Latinas in the DMV area.

Through her work in both corporate leadership and community engagement, Ariana is a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology. She continues to break barriers, advocating for opportunities that uplift and advance Latinas in the industry. Her passion for innovation, strategic growth, and mentorship makes her a driving force in shaping the future of tech. 

Sanam Boroumand
2025 Leadership Awards Winner - Founders/Entreprenur Category
Main Digital

Sanam Boroumand is the visionary Founder and CEO of Main Digital, a digital transformation consultancy specializing in data & platform solutions, business agility, and experience design. With over 20 years of experience, she has held executive leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies and an international consulting firm before launching Main Digital in 2019. Under her leadership, Main Digital has experienced rapid growth, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list in 2023 and 2024 and being named a Virginia Best Place to Work for the last three years. The firm partners with Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies to drive operational efficiencies, improve customer experiences, and accelerate digital transformation. Sanam is a recognized leader in intelligent automation and has spoken at industry conferences, including PegaWorld.

She is committed to community impact, serves on the George Mason University Foundation Board, and supports initiatives like Hire Heroes USA and St. Jude’s. Sanam holds a B.A. in Economics from William & Mary, an M.S. in Information Technology from Johns Hopkins University, and has completed AI coursework at MIT. Her leadership continues to shape the future of technology, business agility, and workforce innovation.

Chandra Donelson
2025 Leadership Awards Winner - Government and Defense Category
United States Space Force

Nisha Paliwal
2025 Leadership Awards Winner - STEM Leadership Category
Wings for Growth

Nisha Paliwal is a visionary leader in artificial intelligence, data strategy, and digital transformation. She is the author of The Secrets of AI Value Creation, a groundbreaking book that explores how organizations can harness AI to drive meaningful business impact. With a passion for innovation and a track record of delivering enterprise-scale AI solutions, Nisha has helped companies unlock value through data-driven decision-making. 

Throughout her career, Nisha has led high-performing teams, guiding organizations through complex technology shifts and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Her expertise spans cloud computing, machine learning, and AI governance, making her a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the industry.

Beyond her technical acumen, Nisha is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of AI and data professionals. She actively engages in knowledge sharing through writing, speaking engagements, and advisory roles for 3 non profits for her mission. Her insights empower businesses to navigate the evolving AI landscape with confidence and strategic foresight.

With a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen, Nisha Paliwal continues to shape the future of AI, ensuring that organizations maximize their AI investments while maintaining ethical and responsible innovation. 

Aliyah Pandolfi
2025 Leadership Awards Winner - Non-Profit and Academia Category
Kashmir World Foundation

In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, Princess Aliyah Pandolfi has made it her mission to harness innovation for the greater good—protecting endangered species. As founder & Executive Director of Kashmir World Foundation (KwF), she bridges the gap between technology, education, and conservation to tackle urgent wildlife challenges.

Her journey began in 2013 with the Wildlife Conservation UAV Challenge, a global competition to develop AI-driven drones that protect rhinos from poaching in Africa. This marked the start of a new era where AI, robotics, and real-time surveillance could outpace wildlife threats. She expanded into marine conservation, developing autonomous robotics to protect sea turtles in Mexico and snow leopards in the Himalayas. Her latest BioAcoustics project leverages AI to decode the language of sentinel species and send alerts for real-time detection of threats like illegal logging and poaching using the Universal Translator.

Princess Aliyah is committed to empowering the next generation through KwF’s global internship program, where students apply AI to real-world conservation. She also teaches drone-building workshops, inspiring young girls to pursue STEM careers. Through relentless innovation, Princess Aliyah is redefining wildlife protection, ensuring her work saves species and empowers generations to merge conservation and technology for a sustainable future.