Women Tech Council Announces 2012 Finalists

SALT LAKE CITY, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women Tech Council (WTC) will host its Fifth Annual Women Tech Awards on Sept. 20, and will honor 15 women in the technology field. The program recognizes technology-focused women who are driving innovation, leading technology companies and are key contributors to the community. The event is presented by EnergySolutions, Ernst & Young, Stoel Rives, USTAR and MountainWest Capital Network. Finalists and award recipients will be honored at an awards luncheon. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Grand America Hotel (555 S. Main in Salt Lake City).

Over the past five years WTC has been able to honor 75 women and has sponsored over 100 high school students to attend the awards to be inspired to continue in STEM areas of study. This past year the WTC launched a scholarship program which to offered four high school students, pursuing STEM degrees, scholarships. They have also introduced the Academic Excellence Award for university-level students. Women Tech Council is thrilled to be able to impact the education community in such a meaningful way.

The Women Tech Award finalists, listed alphabetically, are as follows:

• Sheh Bertram, Zions Bancorporation
• Jennifer Beyer, Allegiance Inc.
• Lyda S. Bigelow, University of Utah
• Jill Canales, 3form, Inc.
• Joy De Lisser, ATK Alliant Techsystems
• Jeanette Haren, TrueNorthLogic
• Janna J. Lewis, Holland & Hart
• Gina Sanzenbacher, Jordan Applied Technology Center
• Cory Schaeffer, Listen Technologies
• Sabrina Stover, BidSync
• Susan L. Thackeray, Utah Valley University
• Shauna Leavitt Theobald, Utah Valley University
• Christy Whitehouse, The Summit Group Communication
• Alison Wistner, Mercato Partners
• Heather Deason Zynczak, Domo

"This is the fifth year of the award program, and our focus is to highlight women who make a difference in the technology ecosystem. This year we have 15 women who have made an impact in technology, are adding jobs to the economy, mentoring young people and contributing to the community," Cydni Tetro said. "We are honored to be able to provide a platform to recognize women of this caliber. Congratulations to this year's finalists."

From the 15 finalists, five award recipients will be announced at the awards luncheon. A selection committee from the technology industry, venture, government and professional communities selected the finalists and will select the award recipients.

The five Academic Excellence Finalists (university-level students who are excelling in STEM fields of study) are:

• Amberly Evans, Utah State University, Physics
• Dolly Holt, University of Utah, Bioengineering
• Heather Wark, University of Utah, M.D./Ph.D in Bioengineering
• Malgorzata Rycewicz-Borecki, Utah State University, Environmental Engineering
• Stacey Janel Smith, Brigham Young University, PhD Physical Chemistry and Xray

Tickets for the event are $75.00 for members and $85.00 for non-members. Premier tables for 10 guests are available for $750.00. Tickets can be purchased online at womentechcouncil.org.

About:

Founded in 2007, the Women Tech Council was designed to be an advocate for women who are currently working for technology companies and for those that may work for businesses in other market sectors working with technology in their job roles.

We provide leadership, resources and mentoring for women while maintaining a strong bond with the business community supporting avenues for top technology talent and visible sponsorship opportunities. We support women-owned and women-operated technology companies. We pride ourselves on recognizing women leaders and entrepreneurs in the technology business and supporting them.

For more information on Women Tech Council, visit: www.womentechcouncil.org.

FOR INFORMATION: Kristin Wright, Women Tech Council, e-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Women Tech Council