Women and Hi Tech

PROGRAMS > Leading Light Awards

The annual Leading Light Awards recognizes women of achievement in science and technology who have set an example to others by demonstrating expertise, professionalism, leadership, service, courage and tenacity in pursuing their chosen career. Here is a list of the winners of the previous years' awards.

2008

Barnes & Thornburg Woman of the Year
Liz Klimes of Eli Lilly and Company

Risk-Taker
Barbara Kew of KewView, LLC

Finalists:
Katie Frederick of Innovation Connector
Ann Clifford of Safari Solutions

Outstanding Educator Award in Science, Technology or Engineering
Professor Margaret Dolinsky of Indiana University

Finalists:
Mary Ciccarelli, Dept of Pediatrics - Indiana University School of Medicine
Lucia Rusu, Ivy Tech Community College

Outstanding Contribution to the Manufacturing Industry & Distribution Transportation Logistics Industry
Gail Miller of Cummins, Inc

Finalist:
Terri Olmstead of Cummins, Inc

Distinguished Use of Technology in Healthcare Life Science
Diane Atkins of Health Care Excel

Finalists:
Ping Poulsen of Safis Solutions, LLC
Dlynn Baughman Melo of Cardinal Health Systems

Distinguished Use of Technology in a Non-Profit or Government Organization
Diane Atkins of Health Care Excel

Outstanding Dedication to Mentoring & Growth of Women in Science or Technology
Arleen Palmberg of Eli Lilly and Company

Ice Miller Undergraduate Student Scholarships
Nicole Smith of Ball State
Dawn Marie Eschenbach of Ivy Tech

2006

Barnes & Thornburg Woman of the Year
Kathy Davis, CEO of Global Access Point

Outstanding Risk Taker
Jane Martin, General Partner of Village Ventures

Visionary Leader
Darby McCarty, President & CEO, Smithville Telephone Company

Outstanding Science, Technology or Engineering Educator
Heidi A. Diefes-Dux, Associate Professor, Purdue University, Department of Engineering Education

Finalists:
Katherine Connelly, Associate Professor of Computer Science, IU School of Informatics
Margaret Dolinsky, Assistant Professor and Research Scientist, IU

Outstanding Contribution to Health, Life Science, Physical Science, or Ag-Science Industry
Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, Executive Associate Dean for Research, IU School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children

Finalist:
Julie Meek, CEO and Founder, The Haelan Group

Outstanding Contribution to the Manufacturing Industry
Laurie B. Tuttle, Engineering Director, Allison Transmission

Finalists:
Holly Koch, Information Technology Manager-Finance, Remy International
Susan Murray, Director of Technology, Rolls-Royce

Distinguished Use of Technology in a Non-Profit or Government Organization
Rhonda Winter, Director of Information Systems and Technology, Indianapolis Museum of Art

Distinguished Use of Technology in a Service Industry
Julie Easton, Vice President of Data & Report Processing, Walker Information

Distinguished Use of Technology in a Service Industry by an Organization
Angie's List

Outstanding Dedication to Mentoring & Growth of Women in Science or Technology
Gail Farnsley, Chief Information Officer, Cummins

Distinguished Use of Technology in Healthcare Delivery
Suzanne Day Baker, Director St. Vincent Carmel ICU and Medical Surgical Unit, St. Vincent Carmel Hospital

Ice Miller Graduate Student Scholarship
Janice Childress, Indiana University School of Informatics

Ice Miller Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Debra Goodrich, Bachelor of Science, Radiation Therapy, IVY Tech Community College

2004

Barnes & Thornburg Woman of the Year
Ann Shane

Outstanding Risk Taker
Christy Steele, VP of Technology Advancement, Vision 2006 Muncie-Delaware County, Economic Development Alliance

Outstanding Science, Technology or Engineering Educator
Julie Conlon, Outreach Coordinator, Department of Physics, Purdue University

Outstanding Contribution to Health, Life Science or Ag-Science Industry
Christine Page, Senior Vice President, Option Six, Inc.

Outstanding Contribution to the Manufacturing Industry
Rona Colosimo Warner, M250 Value Stream Director, Rolls-Royce Corporation

Distinguished Use of Technology by an Individual for the Government or Service Industry
Bernice Ulrich, Vice President, IN Hospital and Health Association

Distinguished Individual/Organization Dedicated to Mentoring & Growth of Women in Science or Technology
Linda Katehi PhD, Dean of Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering

Ice Miller Graduate Student Scholarship
Yuni Xia, PhD candidate, Computer Science, Purdue University

Ice Miller Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Barbara Howery, Indiana University School of Informatics

2003

Outstanding Science, Technology or Engineering Educator
Elaine Cooney

Outstanding Contribution to the Health, Life Sciences or Ag-Science Industry
Christi Bradley

Distinguished Use of Technology by an Individual for the Government or Services Industry
Debbie Gordon

Distinguished Individual (Male or Female) or Organization Dedicated to the Mentoring & Growth of Women in Science or Technology
School of Nursing – IUPUI

Ice Miller Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Elian Haliman

2002

Outstanding Science, Technology or Engineering Educator
Dr. Leah H. Jamieson – Winner
Dr. Virginia Calvin – 1st Runner Up

Outstanding Contribution to the Health, Life Sciences or Ag-Science Industry
Dr. Lisa Brannon-Peppas – Winner
Dr. Mary Dinauer – 1st Runner-Up

Outstanding Contribution to the Manufacturing Industry
Ann Schneider – Winner
Jill Hersberger – 1st Runner Up

Distinguished Organization Encouraging the Growth of Women in Science or Technology
Society of Women Engineers – Central Indiana – Winner

Distinguished Use of Technology by an Individual for the Government or Services Industry
Jane Niederberger – Winner
Debra Robertson – 1st Runner Up

Ice Miller Graduate Student Scholarship
Mary Gish – Winner
Gretchen Parker – 1st Runner Up

View Qualifications for Nominees

8/12/2008
Executive Women’s Forum – Leadership

11/5/2008
Executive Women’s Forum – Women CEOs - Panel Discussion