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The 2020 Leading Light Awards - Overview


About the First-Ever Virtual Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala (LLAs)

The First-Ever Virtual Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala (LLAs) was held on October 1, 2020. Read our recap of this event, including the list of 2020's award and scholarship recipients. 

Photographs

Photographs during the 2020 LLAs were captured by Faith Blackwell, owner of Faith Blackwell Photography. 

See photos of the award recipients

See photos from behind-the-scenes of this virtual event

Awards, Scholarships, & Grants

With special support from our Partners and Friends in the Indiana STEM community, we're pleased to announce that Women & Hi Tech has exceeded the $20,000 goal set for our #LLA20for20 campaign, and will be awarding over $50,000 in scholarships and grants to women and girls pursuing STEM Fields in Indiana! 

At least the following Women & Hi Tech Scholarships/Grants will be awarded:

  • (1) $5,000 Rare Nickel scholarship will be awarded to the overall top undergraduate or graduate female STEM student as determined by the selection committee.  
  • (1) $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the overall top graduate female STEM student as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the overall top undergraduate female STEM student as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the overall top high school senior female STEM student as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the overall top professional development female STEM student as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) #INThisTogether scholarship, the first-ever, fully member-funded Women & Hi Tech scholarship. We're still accepting member donations for this scholarship, which is currently at $2,235.00, and will announce the final scholarship amount during the Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala on October 1, 2020. If you are a Women & Hi Tech member, and haven't yet made your donation, click here to make your donation online.

Additionally, the following Women & Hi Tech Partner Scholarships will be awarded:

  • (1) $10,000 Western Governors University (WGU) Scholarship will be awarded to the top undergraduate, pursuing a second undergraduate degree or graduate female STEM student that is accepted/applying to WGU as determined by the selection committee.  This scholarship will be distributed by WGU in $2500 increments per term, and is renewable for up to 4 terms at WGU for a total of $10,000 in academic funding.

  • (1) $2500 SIM Indy scholarship will be awarded to the overall top undergraduate female STEM student studying in a field related to information technology, computing or MIS as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) $2500 SIM Indy scholarship will be awarded to the overall top graduate female STEM student studying in a field related to information technology, computing or MIS as determined by the selection committee.

  • (2) $2,500 Ivy Tech Community College scholarships will be awarded to the overall top two female students pursuing STEM degrees at Ivy Tech Community College as determined by the selection committee.    

  • (1) $2,500 Bell Techlogix scholarship will be awarded to the overall top female high school senior pursuing a STEM degree as determined by the selection committee.

  • (1) $2,500 Sallie Mae scholarship will be awarded to the overall top female STEM student as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) $2000 Barnes & Thornburg LLP scholarship will be awarded to the overall top female law student studying Patent or Corporate Law as determined by the selection committee.
  • (1) $2,000 Verizon scholarship will be awarded to the overall top female undergraduate pursuing a technology degree as determined by the selection committee.  
  • (1) Young Innovators Quest (YIQ) STEM Camp by Health & Science Innovations, Summer 2021.  (In Person with Dates and Time to be Announced; $1250 value)
  • (1) IDEAA STEM Camp by Health & Science Innovations, Summer of 2021 (In Person with Dates and Time to be Announced; $750 value)
  • (2) StartUp Ladies memberships (valued at $600 each) will be awarded to extraordinary professional development female applicants pursuing Entrepreneurship as determined by the selection committee.

Scholarships/Grant Applications - Deadline to apply has passed

For information or questions about LLA scholarships or grants, please contact our Collegiate Outreach Director, Merri Beth Lavagnino, at collegiate@womenandhitech.org.

Awards Applications -  Deadline to apply has passed

For information or questions about the Leading Light awards, please contact our Past President, Angela B. Freeman, at pastpresident@womenandhitech.org.

Sponsorship of Women & Hi Tech and/or the 2020 LLAs

Women & Hi Tech has several sponsorship opportunities, including becoming a corporate, collegiate, or non-profit sponsor of the organization. Alternatively or additionally, there are multiple opportunities to support a portion of the 2020 Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala event, as a Signature, Table, Candy, Bar, or Scholarship sponsor. With an expected attendance of over 700 guests, the 2020 LLAs is an outstanding opportunity for your organization to gain, maintain, and/or enhance brand recognition as an Indiana STEM trailblazer, to meet and/or connect with Indiana’s other leading STEM companies, organizations, and professionals, and to celebrate and inspire your employees, clients, or customers. Click HERE to review the 2020 Leading Light Awards sponsorship opportunities.  For information or questions about LLA corporate or event sponsorships, please contact our Corporate Engagement Director, Joy Neely, at corpsponsor@womenandhitech.org.

Women & Hi Tech LLA COVID-19 Statement – August 10, 2020 (last updated May 18, 2020)

Women & Hi Tech extends our deepest sympathies to all of our fellow citizens who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, and the scientists, healthcare workers, first responders, and other STEM professionals that are working on the front lines to keep our country safe and healthy at this unprecedented time. With the increase in local infections and the uncertainty regarding the extent that the pandemic will continue to affect our community, Women & Hi Tech has decided to host the first-ever Virtual Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala (LLA) on October 1, 2020. Despite the pandemic and racial unrest have imposed significant challenges on our global STEM community this year, Women & Hi Tech is extremely excited to timely recognize and celebrate the 2020 Leading Light Award recipients, our local STEM leaders, and the next generation of diverse female STEM leaders that will receive scholarships and grants via our #LLA20for20 campaign.

A Note to LLA Award and Scholarship/Grant Applicants, Nominees, and Sponsors: All awards, scholarships, and grants related to LLA will be awarded to recipients on October 1, 2020 during the first-ever Virtual LLA and Scholarship Gala. Scholarship/grant funds will be electronically or physically distributed to recipients in October, 2020 or thereabouts.

A Note to LLA Event Sponsors: Monetary LLA event sponsorships will not be refunded due to these pandemic related circumstances. However, any remaining LLA event sponsorship funds will be utilized to support women and girls in STEM via Women & Hi Tech’s annual flagship programs and events, such as its quarterly Executive Women’s Forums (EWFs), Passport to Hi-Tech, Ignite Your Superpower! (IYS), OperationALLTM, Spring and Holiday Networking events, Fall Retreat, and others as well as Women & Hi Tech's scholarship fund. We appreciate your continued support and understanding in this regard.

Our primary concern is to protect the health and safety of our membership, their families, and our local, statewide, national, and international community of human citizens during this challenging time. Our hearts go out to all those directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, their friends, and family, along with all of those who are indirectly being affected or whose jobs, schools, and/or lives have been interrupted or disrupted. During these tumultuous times for the global business and STEM community and for each of us as well, we appreciate your continued support of Women & Hi Tech and our mission “to change the landscape of women represented in STEM to be equally inclusive to all.”


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Women & Hi Tech is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal ID Number: 35-2113596. 
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