Winners of Women in Technology’s 27th Annual Leadership Awards Announced at Annual Gala

Recognizing women leaders advancing opportunity in technology through mentorship and community impact.

Falls Church, VA – May 7, 2026 – Women in Technology (WIT), the premier organization contributing to the success of professional women in the Washington, D.C. area technology community, has announced the winners of the 27th Annual Leadership Awards. The awards were presented at WIT’s annual gala held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, VA.

The annual WIT Leadership Awards honor women across the Washington, D.C. metro who have pushed the boundaries in key areas like entrepreneurship, education, government, and corporate sectors. The program celebrates individual achievement while highlighting the broader impact of women shaping the future of technology through innovation, and progress across the industry.

“The WIT Leadership Awards serve as a powerful reminder of the remarkable contributions women are making across the technology sector,” said Daphne Wotherspoon, President of WIT. “We are proud to recognize this year’s winners who are moving the industry forward through the work they are driving today and the paths they are opening for others to follow and build upon.”

This year’s awards are centered on the theme of Mentor–Protégé, celebrating those who have paved the path forward for other women in the technology space. For more than two decades, WIT’s Mentor–Protégé Program has supported nearly 1,400 protégés through 55 Mentor–Protégé cohorts.

“Mentorship is a driving force behind growth and long-term progress in the technology industry,” said Beth Bierden, WIT Board Member at Large, Mentor Protégé. “WIT’s Mentor-Protégé program has been a cornerstone of our mission, and this year’s theme reflects the meaningful ways women lift one another up and help open doors across the field.”

The winners of the 27th Annual Women in Technology Leadership Awards are as follows:

  • Corporate Large Market Sector: Ratima Kataria, ICF
  • Corporate Mid-Market Sector: Jen Thibodeau, BTI360
  • Corporate Small Market Sector: Jocelyn Alexander, ThinkTek
  • Emerging Leader: Naga Lalitha Sree Thatavarthi, American Physical Therapy Association
  • Founder/Entrepreneur: Aisha Niazi, Annexos LLC
  • Public Sector and Education: Kristin Ruiz, Transportation Security Administration
  • Rising Star: Abigail Hensley, Army Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities Office
  • Trailblazer in Tech Innovation: Rakshana Balakrishnan, Oracle
  • Unsung Hero: Shay Donelson, Sev1Tech
  • President’s Award: Beth Bierden

For more information on the annual WIT Leadership Awards, please visit: https://www.womenintechnology.org/leadership-awards  

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 Instagraam @wit_washington_dc, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter(@WITWomen).