IT Insight: NH Tech Alliance Tech Women Awards announced
Now in its eighth year, the NH Tech Alliance is proud to announce the 2022 TechWomen|TechGirls Annual Award recipients. These three women have contributed to the furtherance of STEM education and/or professional STEM advancements for women throughout New Hampshire.
Tech Educator of the Year – Jennifer Cava
For over a decade, Jennifer Cava has led the Academy for Science and Design (ASD) as their director. ASD is a high-performing STEM-focused Charter school in New Hampshire that offers free public education. She is dedicated to fostering an environment that inspires and challenges every student. She works to cultivate their individual abilities to lead advancements in science and technology. Cava is proud of these awards yet her main goal is to provide a strong sense of community for students.
Tech Student of the Year – Kennedy Amorim
Kennedy Amorim is a student at The Derryfield School. She participated in and completed the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute BioTrek Program which includes presenting her work to a group of scientists from ARMI.
Amorim also works as a research assistant and facilitates research on protein signaling and interactions. She has a passion for sharing science with younger and less privileged students so she designed Science Saturday activities through Breakthrough Manchester, which will commence this spring at Derryfield.
Tech Professional of the Year – Flo Nicolas
Flo Nicolas is on a mission to promote tech in New Hampshire and STEM careers to students. She creates and produces the Get Tech Smart Show which highlights tech companies from around New Hampshire. These shows are educational and shine a light on the innovation happening in New Hampshire technology.
Nicolas recently co-founded DEI Directive which is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) technology firm that provides a comprehensive DEI Intelligence Platform. Human Resource and DEI professionals can now have real-time access to DEI data, taking the guesswork out of the equation.
Flo often hosts DEI events around the state for businesses and employees to come together and network. She was selected for the LinkedIn Accelerator Program as a Technology & Innovation Creator.
Julie Demers, NH Tech Alliance Executive Director shared, “We have three outstanding women joining the ranks of our tech women award recipients. This year’s pool of nominees was one of the largest in the history of the event. The sheer volume of worthy nominations we received this year signifies the prominence of this event and the expanding community of tech women in this state.”
“In the spirit of continuous innovation, I’m thrilled that we are re-imagining this event to a Connect and Network opportunity for our 2022 Celebration. We’ve received the most nominations for 2022 than ever before and look forward to celebrating these amazing women technologists” said Shannon Herrmann, chair of the TechWomen|TechGirls initiative at the Alliance and senior recruiter at Alexander Technology Group. “The TechWomen Awards is always an incredible reminder of the work that is happening right here in NH, with inspiring business leaders, engaged educators and students who are making a technology impact before even earning a degree.”
The awards will be presented at a networking event on June 22 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fidelity Office in Merrimack. The event is open to the public with tickets available at nhtechalliance.org/tech-women-awards/
JoAnn Hodgdon is vice president and co-founder of Portsmouth Computer Group (PCGiT) with her husband David. PCG provides comprehensive managed IT services, business continuity, security, cloud computing and Virtual CIO services to their clients. You may reach her at joann@pcgit.com or at www.pcgit.com.