2026 Women in Tech Awards
Celebrating Women Who Are Building What’s Next
Recognizing the women whose leadership, innovation, resilience, and impact are shaping the future of technology.
The 2026 Award Recipient will be introduced at the RockIT Women’s annual Women in Tech Awards on December 8th, 2026.
The deadline to nominate someone is October 27th, 2026!
“There is not only a place for women in the IT world; there are also places in the community where these women are recognized and championed. Being able to see oneself in spaces that break with the status quo and translate those experiences for others is itself a teaching moment...
source:
https://business.louisville.edu/karimi-confidence/”
Every day, women across our technology community are leading, innovating, mentoring, overcoming barriers, and opening doors for others.
The RockIT Women Awards celebrate those contributions—and we need your help identifying the women whose stories deserve to be recognized.
Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate her for a 2026 RockIT Women Award.
RockIT Leader of Impact Award
Purpose
Recognizes a woman whose leadership and contributions to technology have created significant and measurable impact within her organization, industry, or community.
Ideal Recipient Demonstrates
Significant accomplishments through technology
Measurable impact
Leadership and influence
Initiative beyond normal role expectations
A record of moving an organization, industry, or community forward
RockIT Women’s premier WIT award.
RockIT Elevate Award
Lift as You Climb
Purpose
Recognizes a woman who uses her experience, influence, time, or position to create opportunities for other women in technology.
Ideal Recipient Demonstrates
Active mentorship or sponsorship
Advocacy that creates tangible opportunities
Development of emerging women leaders
Efforts to remove barriers to advancement
Commitment to strengthening the technology community
RockIT Rising Star Award
Purpose
Recognizes an emerging woman in technology who is already making a meaningful contribution and demonstrates exceptional potential for continued leadership and impact.
Trajectory, not title. The recipient does not need to manage people or hold a senior position.
Ideal Recipient Demonstrates
10 years or fewer in a technology-related career
Initiative beyond current role expectations
Meaningful contributions to projects, teams, customers, or organization
Professional growth and willingness to take on new challenges
Emerging leadership and influence
Commitment to learning and helping others grow
How Nominations Work
Review Eligibility:
Make sure the nominee meets the 2026 eligibility requirements before beginning.
Complete the Nominee Application
Provide the nominee’s contact and professional information.
Tell Us Why She Should Be Recognized
Share the accomplishments, leadership, impact, and contributions that make her deserving of recognition.
Select the Award Category
Near the end of the application, choose the award that best reflects the nominee’s achievements.
Submit the Nomination
Complete the remaining information and submit the nomination for review.
Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting a nomination, please make sure the nominee meets the basic eligibility requirements:
Works in technology or demonstrates that technology is a substantial component of her professional or community impact.
Lives, works, studies, or makes a significant professional or community contribution within the Kentuckiana area.
Meets the specific requirements of the award category for which she is nominated.
RockIT Women membership is not required.
Self-nominations and nominations of others are welcome.
Not Sure If Your Nominee Qualifies?
If you have questions about regional eligibility or whether a nominee meets the award requirements, contact us before submitting.
Email: Shannon@RockITWomen.com
Phone: (502)939-6820
How Winners Are Selected
Eligible nominations are evaluated by WIT Awards judges using a standardized 100-point scoring system. Each award has its own weighted criteria, ensuring nominees are evaluated based on the qualities, accomplishments, and impact most relevant to that award.
Leader of Impact
Demonstrated Impact
Achievement
Leadership & Influence
Innovation & Initiative
Evidence & Specificity
Rising Star
Achievement Relative to Career Stage
Initiative
Emerging Leadership
Growth & Potential
Evidence & Specificity
Elevate
Advancement of Other Women
Mentorship & Sponsorship
Leadership & Advocacy
Reach & Sustained Commitment
Evidence & Specificity
Fair and Impartial Review
Judges evaluate nominations based on the evidence submitted—not the prestige of a nominee's employer, job title, or professional visibility. Judges are required to disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when appropriate.
RockIT Women Presents the 8th Annual
Women in Tech Conference
December 8, 2026 • Clarksville, Indiana