WLDA was established with the aim of spotlighting women in the Data & AI industry, addressing the significant gender gap identified in a Deloitte study. The study revealed that women often exit these fields due to career stagnation and a lack of support. WLDA’s mission is to recognize and celebrate those who are actively working to make a difference in these industries.

“We now have the opportunity to uplift and acknowledge women and their allies for their invaluable contributions and support,” said WLDA Founder & CEO, Asha Saxena. These awards also extend recognition to outstanding men and corporations that empower and champion their female colleagues.

The finalists will be unveiled in the coming weeks, with the winners set to be announced during the prestigious WLDA Awards Gala on November 9, 2023, in New York City. The gala will celebrate the trailblazers and influencers in the technology, data, and AI sectors across various industries.

Tickets for the gala can be purchased at https://wlda.tech/wlda-events/2023-wlda-gala/

Award Categories and Nominees:

BEST MOTIVATOR

Alex Ford – President, Encompass Corporation

Frances O’Rafferty – Data Management Manager | Data Modelling Lead, Accenture

Laura Ellis – Vice President, Data Engineering and Platform Analytics, Rapid7

Amanda Obidike – Founder, STEMi Makers of Africa 

Rachel Shaffer – Program Manager, Chevron

Elizabeth Ebert – Managing Director, PwC

Mursal Dawodi – Adviser at Afghan Women Scholar

Kristen Kehrer – Founder, Data Moves Me, LLC

RISING STAR

Kelly Richards – Data Scientist IIl, Lonza Biologics

Payal Shah – Director, Analytics & AI, PwC US

Meagan Askew – Director, PwC US

Mary Sailors –  SubChapter Head – Data Science, Chevron

Anshu Goel – Director, PwC US Analytics Advisory

Rebecca Reitz – Manager, Data Scientist, KPMG LLP

Rachel Roberts – Advisory Manager, Advisory Data Organization, KPMG LLP

Reshmi Gosh – Applied Scientist II, Microsoft Corp.

Clare Bolin – Operations Research Analyst PAQ, Department of the Air Force

Natasha Mittal – Software Engineer, DoorDash Inc.

Molly Ruby – Senior Data Scientist, Mars, Incorporated

Amn Rahman – Sr. Manager, Data Engineering, Docker, Inc.

Amy Peterson – Head of Core Curriculum, DataCamp

CHANGEMAKER IN THE FIELD OF AI

Carrie Cobb – CDO, Blackbaud

Sherry Comes – Conversational AI & Emerging Tech Leader, PwC US

Gwyn Russell – Executive Director Data Strategy and Governance, KPMG LLP

Ronisha Carter – Artificial Intelligence R&D, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL)

Rania Chow – Senior Manager, Enterprise Information Governance, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG)

CHANGEMAKER IN THE FIELD OF DATA

Muniba Talha – Associate Professor Business Economics and IT, KEA – Københavns Erhvervsakademi

Elpida Ormanidou – VP Analytics and Insights, PetSmart

Rhonika Kaplan – Regional Data Science and Reservoir Characterization Advisor, Chevron

Shana Bolen – Rigs Team Lead, Chevron

Rashmi Gupta – Partner, Data and Technology Transformation, IBM

Lily Katz – Principal Data Journalist, Redfin

CORPORATION OF THE YEAR

PwC – US 

DOST Digital Innovations Center – Azerbaijan 

AI LEADER OF THE YEAR

Kamaljeet Ghotra  – Chief Data Strategist, PDF Solutions

Rekha Ramesh – SVP, Chief Data, Digital and Information Officer LifeScan, Inc.

Ilana Golbin Blumenfeld – Director, PwC US

Rogayeh Tabrizi – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Theory+Practice

Fallon Farmer – Principal Data Scientist, FiscalNote

DATA LEADER OF THE YEAR

Cyndi Festa – Head of Data Sourcing, Encompass Corporation

Alex Sidgreaves – CDO, Zurich UK

Rashmi Gupta – Partner, Data and Technology Transformation, IBM

Priya Reddy – Vice President, Enterprise Data Management, Skopos Financial DBA Reprise Financial

Roopa Amin – Senior Data Leader, Flowers Foods

Diane Schmidt – Managing Director and Chief Data Officer, US GAO

Rania Chow – Senior Manager, Enterprise Information Governance, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG)

Sarah Karthigan – GM Data & Insights, Strategy & Innovation, Chevron

Hong Gao – Executive Director, Enterprise Data Management & Analytics, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Alison Gilles – VP of Engineering; Core Infra, Data & Insights Platform, Spotify

Rekha Ramesh – SVP, Chief Data, Digital and Information Officer, LifeScan

Sonali Mathur – Global Director, Marketing, Data, Privacy, Operations, General Motors

Jinsook Han – Partner – Data, Analytics and AI (DAA) and Workforce DAA Leader, PwC US

Barr Moses – Co-Founder & CEO, Monte Carlo

Ghada Richani – Managing Director, Data & Technology Strategy & Project Management Office, Bank of america

Danielle Beringer – Managing Director,  KPMG LLP

Mo Villagran – Business Analytics Manager, Cambrex

EXECUTIVE CHAMPION AWARD

Jane Rheem – CDAO, Zurich North America

Esra Taylor – VP of SMB Marketing, Etisalat UAE

Dara Meath – Senior VP CTO,  Build a Bear

ABOUT WLDA

Women Leaders in Data and AI (WLDA) is a women-led membership and mastermind circle organization dedicated to empowering women leaders in the data and AI sectors. Our mission is to unite women at the forefront of data and AI innovation to shape a meaningful future.

WLDA provides a unique platform for women leaders to connect with their industry peers from F1000 companies, discover technological solutions, tackle complex data challenges, and advance both personally and professionally. Our events foster confidential and supportive conversations, offering the inspiration and support that women leaders often seek elsewhere.

Join us in our mission to reshape the data and AI landscape. Apply for your exclusive membership today and learn more about us at https://wlda.tech.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Naz Razuli
naz.rasuli@wlda.tech

Copyright © 2023 Women Leaders in Data and AI. All Rights Reserved.