2026 WLDA

AWARDS GALA

October 30, 2026

Join Us for the 2026 Awards Ceremony

Join us to celebrate this year’s data & AI luminaries and let’s honor our peers in surroundings worthy of their brilliance!

Celebrating leadership and innovation that are shaping the future. Recognizing outstanding achievements across the industry.

Expect an evening of good company, fine surroundings, and recognition long overdue. Come raise a glass to the people building what comes next. We’d be glad to have you with us.

Awards Gala Agenda
  • Registration and Networking
  • Welcome Remarks
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Dinner Served
  • Awards Presentation
  • Closing Remarks

Awards Gala

Celebrate Trailblazers in Data & AI

An Evening of Excellence in Data & AI

Celebrating Visionary Leadership

Join us for an extraordinary celebration honoring the brilliant minds revolutionizing the world of Data and AI. This prestigious evening spotlights the transformative achievements of remarkable women and allies whose innovations are shaping our technological future.

A Night to Remember

Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of elegance and inspiration as we present the distinguished WLDA Awards. Experience powerful moments of recognition, hear compelling stories of innovation, and be moved by the journeys of those breaking new ground in technology.

Connect & Inspire

Network with industry luminaries in a sophisticated setting designed for meaningful connections. Share insights with fellow innovators, connect with award honorees, and become part of a community dedicated to advancing excellence in Data and AI. Join us in honoring those who dare to transform possibilities into reality.

WHY ATTEND?

The WLDA membership runs through the Fortune 1000, with leaders from KPMG, Chevron, L’Oréal, Pfizer, JPMorgan Chase, and IBM.

One day at the NYSE puts you in the room with the people setting AI strategy at that scale.

The evening awards put a name to the work that’s actually moved the needle.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Chief Data Officers, Chief AI Officers, CIO & CTO’s, Fortune 1000 Decision Makers

REGISTER

Early bird pricing is EXTENDED!

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone can nominate a leader (or themselves) through the nominations form. Submissions are reviewed by the WLDA Awards Committee against the published criteria, and shortlisted honourees are recognised at the Gala on 30 October in New York City. Nominate at wlda.tech/nominate.

We're finalising hotel arrangements and will update the registration page once rooms are confirmed. In past years we've secured discounted WLDA rates at downtown Manhattan hotels, so check back here or watch your registration email for the booking link.

Yes. Sponsorship includes attendance at the Awards Gala, with the number of seats and added benefits depending on your sponsorship tier. To discuss options, email membership@wlda.tech.

Asha Saxena -profile-pic-2024

Asha Saxena

Founder & CEO
WLDA, WLDA Ventures

Seth-Dobrin

Seth Dobrin

CEO & Founder,
Qantm AI

Dara Meath

SVP, CTO
Build-A-Bear Workshop

Robert Parr

Chief Data Officer, Advisory
KPMG US

Danielle-Maurici-Arnone-CDO-Combe-Inc.

Danielle Maurici-Arnone

CDO
Combe Incorporated

David A. Bader, PhD, Professor and Founder of the Dept. of Data Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology

David A. Bader, Ph.D.

Professor and Founder of the Dept. of Data Science
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Jenna Franklin

Partner, Data Protection, Privacy, Cyber, AI and Ethics
Stephenson Harwood LLP

Lisa K. Simon

Chief Economist
Revelio Labs

Steve Pugh, CISO, ICE

Steve Pugh

CISO
ICE

Charlene Li Founder & CEO Quantum Networks

Charlene Li

Founder & CEO
Quantum Networks Group

Robin-DeWald Cerka Sutara-Field-CDO

Robin Sutara

Field Chief Data Strategy Officer
Databricks

Nancy Morgan

CEO and Owner
Ellis Morgan Enterprises LLC

Tara Dziedzik

Head of US Listings
New York Stock Exchange

Hotel Accommodations

We will update this page once we have secured hotel arrangements. Thank you.

Marriott Courtyard

Limited Rooms Available
$239/night
215 Pearl St. New York, NY 10038

New York Marriott Downtown

Limited Rooms Available
$409 plus tax per night
85 West St. New York, NY 10006

Thank you to our sponsors

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