Nominations extended for ARN Women in ICT Awards 2024

Nominations have been extended for the Women in ICT Awards in 2024, setting the industry benchmark for female excellence as gender diversity and inclusion (D&I) takes centre stage in Australia.

Submissions will now close on Friday 21 June.

For more than a decade, ARN has celebrated gender D&I and recognised female excellence across the Australian channel since first launching WIICTA in 2012, providing a platform to showcase influential figures across the local industry.

In 2024, WIICTA will honour the channel across eight categories, spanning Innovation, Technical, Entrepreneur, Graduate, Rising Star, Shining Star, Achievement and D&I Champion (Company and Individual) awards.

Nominations can be submitted by an individual, an employee, employer or business partner. Note: Only Australia-based individuals are eligible, with finalists and winners selected by an executive judging panel of business leaders from partner, vendor and distributor organisations.

Please read the criteria carefully for each category, especially Graduate, Rising, Shining and Achievement, which focus on the individual’s overall IT industry experience.

From early-stage graduates to experienced industry leaders – and everyone in-between – WIICTA recognises inspiring examples of female creativity and ingenuity in equal measure, spanning all job functions and disciplines across all states and territories.

This is in addition to pioneering organisations and individuals who have gone beyond surface-level commitments through the introduction of policies and programs to meet D&I goals.

The awards program reached record-breaking levels in 2023 with 230 finalists honoured from a pool of over 148 organisations and 400 nominations, spanning partner, telco, vendor and distributor businesses.

This culminated in more than 620 attendees – the largest ever in-person audience for the channel’s leading gender D&I awards program – coming together under the ARN roof to set new levels of female achievement and accomplishment.

Since launching more than 10 years ago, the collective aim of WIICTA remains unchanged – to ensure as many outstanding women are endorsed through this unique awards program as possible, aligned to the unified goal of providing a platform upon which aspiring female talent can shine across Australia.

Set for Thursday 19 September, the winners will be announced at a celebration lunch at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney.

ARN WIICTA categories in 2024:

INNOVATION

This award recognises a creative-thinking candidate who is a standout in bringing innovation to life through a big picture and out-of-the-box approach to business. This individual is unrivalled at converting embryonic ideas into viable working solutions through a unique thought process designed to continually push the envelope. NOMINATE HERE

TECHNICAL

This award recognises excellence in the form of technical and engineering expertise, honouring deep domain knowledge in relation to technology products, solutions and services. This candidate has provided business value through specialised skills and competence, spanning technical, pre-sales and support roles. NOMINATE HERE

ENTREPRENEUR

This award recognises an enterprising candidate with a risk-taking mentality, honouring excellence in launching new ventures, products or services. This individual has a proven background in building innovation from the ground up, evident through converting market-leading ideas into viable business offerings. NOMINATE HERE

GRADUATE

This award recognises a standout graduate candidate who has leveraged apprenticeship programs to start a career within the ICT industry. Open to all roles and responsibilities, this individual has made an immediate and positive impact on the business through providing a fresh perspective and high levels of professionalism. Note: This award is open to candidates involved in a graduate program between 2021-2024. NOMINATE HERE

RISING STAR

This award recognises a standout candidate rising through the ranks within the ICT industry, acknowledging significant advancement during the early stages of her technology career. This individual is growing in stature and importance through demonstrating outstanding business acumen, deep market expertise and high levels of professional integrity. Note: This award is open to candidates with 10 years or less experience within the ICT industry. NOMINATE HERE

SHINING STAR

This award recognises an established candidate with a strong record of achievement, acknowledging excellence in spearheading company initiatives and driving strategic change. This individual is a consistent high performer who regularly achieves standout business results and continues to assume increased levels of seniority within the organisation. Note: This award is open to candidates with between 11-20 years’ experience within the ICT industry. NOMINATE HERE

ACHIEVEMENT

This award recognises a standout candidate who has delivered an unrivalled contribution to the ICT industry, evident through outstanding professional and personal achievements. This individual has earned a reputation as an esteemed thought leader following a distinguished career as both a business leader and role model for aspiring executives. Note: This award is open to candidates with 21 years or more experience within the ICT industry. NOMINATE HERE

D&I CHAMPION – Individual

This award recognises an influential individual who actively drives diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives through mentoring and thought leadership across the ICT industry. This candidate acts as a role model for aspiring executives, cultivating diverse teams to drive change both internally and externally. NOMINATE HERE

D&I CHAMPION – Company

This award recognises the standout company in driving diversity and inclusion (D&I) across all aspects of the business, spanning employees, customers and key stakeholders. This organisation has gone beyond a surface-level commitment through the introduction of policies and programs to meet D&I goals, evident through targeted initiatives, strong leadership and clearly defined deliverables. NOMINATE HERE

For more information email: julia_talevski@foundryco.com