WITI proudly announces the 2024 inductees into the prestigious
WITI Women in Technology Hall of Fame. Established in 1996, this honor celebrates visionary women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) who embody WITI's core values of equity, lifelong learning, and ethical leadership.
The Class of 2024 represents a diverse group of trailblazers whose work transcends traditional boundaries, fostering inclusive innovation and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Meet the 2024 WITI Women in Technology Hall of Fame Honorees.
Dr. Ibilola Adenike Amao
Principal Consultant, Lonadek Global Services
Dr. Amao is being honored for her dedicated work in promoting STEM education, focusing on the technology and education gaps in Nigeria. She motivates people to choose careers in science and technology as a part of human capital development initiatives.
Dr. Amao's global impact in STEM education is reshaping the future. Her visionary leadership has:
Elevated international STEM education standards
Inspired countless individuals to pursue technology careers
Created transformative opportunities in underserved communities
Dr. Aditi Banerjee
Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer, Healthcare and Life Sciences
Dr. Banerjee advocates promoting women's choice of careers in STEM, a criterion for induction. She emphasizes personally mentoring women and serving as an exceptional role model by advancing multinational business environments and advising strategic transformation programs.
A champion for women in STEM, Dr. Banerjee's contributions include:
Pioneering mentorship programs in multinational corporations
Driving initiatives that have significantly increased women's representation in leadership roles
Advocating for policies that support work-life balance in STEM careers
Dr. Lauren Gardner and co-creator Ensheng (Frank) Dong, and the rest of the COVID-19 Dashboard team members at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE), and Johns Hopkins University (JHU)
Dr. Gardner is the Director, Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Ensheng (Frank) Dong, is a PhD Engr ‘24 for the Dept of Civil & Systems Engineering (CaSE), Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University and the infectious disease dynamics (IDD) group at the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Lauren Gardner, co- creator Dr. Ensheng (Frank) Dong, and team are being inducted for immediately and tirelessly developing a dashboard to track the COVID-19 pandemic. This technology impacted how we identify and track pandemics. This is the second team to be recognized by the WITI Hall of Fame in its 29-year history.
This groundbreaking team, only the second collective to receive this honor in WITI's history, is recognized for:
Developing the world-renowned COVID-19 tracking dashboard
Revolutionizing global pandemic response through data-driven insights
Demonstrating the power of collaborative, interdisciplinary research
Dr. Irene Pepperberg
Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
Dr. Pepperberg is being inducted because of her work in animal intelligence, primarily with African Grey Parrots. Authoring over 175 peer-reviewed journal articles, reviews, book chapters, and the NYTimes bestselling book Alex & Me.
Dr. Pepperberg's revolutionary work has:
Redefined our understanding of animal intelligence
Prompted WITI to expand its induction criteria to include "human responsibility towards the domains and kingdoms of life"
Sparked crucial dialogues on cognitive evolution and interspecies communication
Hemma Prafullchandra
Founder & CTO, SolidCore.ai
Hemma Prafullchandra has over 30 years of cybersecurity experience. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Hemma mentors cybersecurity and AI professionals, aiming to bridge the talent and skills gap in these crucial fields.
A cybersecurity pioneer, Prafullchandra's innovations have:
Shaped critical technology standards
Obtained numerous influential patents
Played a key role in shaping public policies and regulations
Celebrating Innovation and Impact
The induction ceremony, scheduled for December 10, 2024, on International Human Rights Day, will not only honor these remarkable individuals but also highlight the broader impact of their work on society and human rights.
"This year's inductees exemplify the transformative power of technology when combined with visionary leadership," said David Leighton, CEO of WITI. "Their work goes beyond innovation - it's about creating a more equitable, sustainable, and intelligent world."
About the WITI Women in Technology Hall of Fame
Since 1996, the WITI Women in Technology Hall of Fame has recognized women who have not just excelled in their fields, but have fundamentally changed them. Supported by industry giants such as IBM, Apple, and EY, this honor represents the pinnacle of achievement in technology and innovation.
About WITI
Founded in 1989, WITI has transformed from a grassroots movement into a global catalyst for workforce innovation and inclusion in technology. Key milestones include establishing the Women in Technology Hall of Fame in 1996, commissioning the influential Glass Ceiling Report, and forging partnerships with major technology events. WITI's swift adaptation to challenges, exemplified by its pivot to virtual programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, has ensured continuous support for their members, sponsors and partners.
In 2023, WITI merged with Criterion Research, to become Workforce Innovation, Trust, and Influence and expand its mission to foster human potential across industries. Today, WITI drives transformative change in global ecosystems by focusing on an inclusive work environment, integrity, and innovation driving world-class best practices. By empowering the next generation of leaders through mentorship and education, WITI continues its commitment to creating a more equitable landscape that harnesses diverse perspectives to drive progress.
For more information about WITI and the Hall of Fame, visit:
WITI and WITI Women in Technology Hall of Fame.
Contact: WITI (818) 788-9484 contact us
Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.
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