Women's Appreciation Award

This award recognizes and honors AFCEA members, regardless of gender, who have gone above and beyond to further the careers of women. AFCEA contributions will be more heavily weighted than professional performance in the decision process. Winners are selected by members of the Women's Award Committee. The award will be presented at the annual Women in AFCEA Appreciation Event held at WEST each year.

The Women's Appreciation Award nomination will be graded on the following:

• Supported the development of women business and/or government professionals by facilitating introductions with prospective experienced mentors
• Personally acted as a mentor to one or more female students or business/government professionals
• Actively supported and promoted STEM scholarships and careers (in business and/or government) to female students at any educational level
• Sponsored or advocated a highly-qualified woman candidate for a new or increased position in her company or government
• Actively developed, or contributed to developing, shared opportunities for women in business and government to network, learn new skills, share best practices, celebrate accomplishments, and develop professionally

Criteria:

• Must be a current AFCEA Member

• Must have been an active participant and leader in AFCEA at the chapter and/or HQ International level for at least two years before being nominated for this award

• Individuals cannot nominate themselves

 

Nominate a candidate

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2021

Hillary Boyce

Vice President
IntellecTechs, Inc., Hampton Roads Chapter

Cindy Heflin

Vice President
C5T Corporation, Scott-St. Louis Area Chapter

Brandi Pickett

Cyber Risk Management Consultant
Ingalls Information Security, ArkLaTex Chapter

Laura R. Pope

Senior Systems Engineer
Stellar Solutions, Inc., Los Angeles Chapter

Karen Lopez Rolirad
 

Executive Director
Bexar County Military and Veterans Services Center, Alamo Chapter

Maria Dolores Santos

Systems Engineer
Isocmonitoreo CIA Ltda., Ecuador Chapter

Juliana Vida

Chief Technical Advisor - Public Sector
Splunk, Northern Virginia Chapter

 

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2020

From left: Tina Jordan; VADM Nancy Norton, USN; BGen Lorna Mahlock, USMC; Award Winners Jacqui Chard, Stephanie Hutch, Jennifer Greenwell and Jane Brightwell; LtGen Lori Reynolds, USMC; LtGen Robert Shea, USMC (Ret)

Jane Brightwell

Vice President of Federal, International and RBOC
Walker and Associates
North Carolina Chapter

Jacqui Chard

Deputy Director for Defence and National Security
UK National Cyber Security Centre
London Chapter

Jennifer Greenwell

DHA Contract Program Manager
Sentek Global
South Carolina Low Country Chapter

Stephanie Hutch

Vice President of Strategic Planning
P3I, Incorporated
Lexington-Concord Chapter

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2019

From left: VADM Nancy Norton, USN; DeEtte Gray; Award Winners Jenniffer Minks, Szu-Moy Toves and Kathy Swacina; LtGen Lori Reynolds, USMC

Donatella Dominici

Professor
Department of Civil, Construction-Architectural & Environmental Engineering, University of L'Aquila

Yolande Fong

AFCEA Hawaii Chapter
DISA-PAC GS-14 (Retired)

Jenniffer Minks

Coaition Interoperability Division Chief
Deputy Directorate for Cyber and C4 Integration, Joint Staff J6

COL Kathy Swacina, USA (Ret)

Senior Federal Program Executive
Unitech Consulting, LLC

MSgt Szu-Moy Toves, USAF (Ret)

Alamo AFCEA

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2018

From left: Tamara Greenspan, Kathleen Berganski, Ashley Becker, Abigail Wilson, Sharon O'Malley Burg

All winners were recognized at the Fifth Anniversary Women's Appreciation Event at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 during AFCEA/USNI WEST in San Diego.

Ashley Becker

Manager, Union Square Innovation Center, Ernst & Young

Kathleen Berganski

Senior Manager, Cyber Operations Division, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Tamara Greenspan

Vice President, Oracle Corporation

Sharon O'Malley Burg

Senior Advisor, C.A.C.I. International Inc.

Abigail Wilson

Government Cyber Security Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2017

From left: Alvie Johnson, Dr. Marion Michaud, CMSgt Diane Slazinik, USAF, Col Kim Montfoort, USAF (Ret), Mary Allison Yourchisin

These winners include the first male recipient recognized for his support of women in the IT field. All winners were recognized at the Women's Appreciation Event from 4-6pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 during WEST in San Diego. Read here for more information on this annual event.

Mr. Alvie Johnson

Director, Business Development, Leidos

Marion Michaud, Ph.D.

Technical Director, Cyber Security Technical Center, The MITRE Corporation

Colonel Kim M. Montfoort, USAF (Ret)

Technical Support Lead, Telos Corporation

Chief Master Sergeant Diane Slazinik, USAF

Superintendent, 375th Communications Group, United States Air Force

Mrs. Mary Allison Yourchisin

Vice President, Special Operations and Joint Agencies, AC4S

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2016

Denise Desien

President, Business Development Technologies

Teresa Duvall, CDR, USN (Ret)

Navy Authorizing Official Division Head, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command

Natalie Givans

Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton

Charisse Stokes

Vice President, Cybersecurity and Network Management, Telos Corporation

Tiffany Tremont

President and CEO, SiloTech Group

From left to right: Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, master of ceremonies and past winner; Ashley Becker, co-chair Women in AFCEA; Natalie Givans, award winner; Teresa Duvall, award winner; Kathy Kleiman, keynote speaker; and Andi Fehl, co-chair Women in AFCEA

From left to right: Ashley Becker, co-chair Women in AFCEA; John Meincke, Vice Chair of the Board of AFCEA International; Charisse Stokes, award winner; Lt Gen Robert M Shea, President and CEO of AFCEA International; and Andi Fehl, co-chair Women in AFCEA

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2015

Shirley Adams

Vice President, General Dynamics Information Technology

Norma Corrales

Former Senior Director of the Educational Foundation

Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch

Senior Vice President, Inmarsat

Doreen Jakubcak

Educational Foundation Board of Directors

Shirley Adams and Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch with their women's appreciation awards at WEST 2015

 

Women Appreciation Award Winners 2014

CAPT Danelle Barrett, USN

Chief of Staff, COMNAVCYBERFOR

Sue Hoffman

Booz Allen Hamilton

Becky Nolan

Former Executive Director, AFCEA International

 

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