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2024 Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala - Silver Jubilee
On October 3rd, 2024, Women & Hi Tech will host our signature biennial event, the Leading Light Awards (LLAs). This prestigious event recognizes women of achievement in STEM who have made great innovations in their industries, and have shown qualities of expertise, professionalism, leadership, service, courage, and tenacity as they built their careers. Women receive awards for excellence as mentors, risk takers, and more. We also award scholarships during this ceremony, as do our sponsors. We would be delighted to have you and your organization join us for this remarkable evening at the Indiana Roof Ballroom!
The theme of this year’s event will be focused around Women & Hi Tech’s 25th Anniversary celebration! Our silver jubilee will recognize our founders who planted a seed in Indianapolis a quarter of a century ago to elevate women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)!
We invite organizations throughout Indiana to become a sponsor for the 2024 Leading Light Awards. There are several Leading Light Awards (LLA) sponsorship opportunities. This includes supporting a portion of the LLA event such as a Signature, Media, Table, Bar, Treats, and In-Kind Sponsorships. Additionally, there are opportunities to sponsor a scholarship or a grant for professional development.
- View Leading Light Awards sponsorship package benefits.
- Complete our sponsor interest form for more information.
The 2024 Leading Light Awards, with an expected attendance of around 700 guests, 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 other leading STEM organizations, companies, and professional individuals in Indiana, and to celebrate and inspire your employees, clients, and customers. For a list of Women & Hi Tech corporate sponsors and/or past Leading Light Awards sponsors, please visit: https://www.womenandhitech.org/sponsors.
Member Volunteer Opportunities
- Sponsorships LLA Committee: Help us engage and communicate with sponsors in all business sectors to gain support and visibility for this event across Indiana.
- Awards & Scholarships LLA Committee: Help us administrate the awards and scholarships nomination processes, market these opportunities, and honor recipients the day of the gala.
- LLA Communications Committee: Help us boost the signal of the Leading Light Awards through copywriting, graphic design, and/or video and their applications on web, social media, and in print.
- Event Experience Committee: Help with the full attendee experience including event planning, volunteer and vendor relations, and day-of support at the Indiana Roof.
If any of these sounds like an intriguing growth opportunity, please reach out to our Signature Events Director Kayci Spandau.
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 professional development grant for a female STEM professional as determined by the selection committee.
- (1) #INThisTogether scholarship, the fully member-funded Women & Hi Tech scholarship. Click here to make your donation online.
Awards Categories - Nominations to Open in January 2024
- Equity and Inclusion Champion Award
This category honors women that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to mentor, recognize, champion, and promote diverse female students or professionals in STEM.
- OperationALL™ Male Allies Award
Celebrating a male ally who actively supports and advocates for women in STEM and is recognized to have positively changed the career trajectory of women in STEM.
- Mentor Me! Award
Recognizing an exemplary female leader for their role in fostering intellectual, creative, and professional growth for women in STEM in Indiana.
- Leadership Award
Honoring an exemplary female leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills by increasing the impact, representation, and effectiveness of women in STEM throughout our community.
- Risk Taker Award
Celebrating a woman who has demonstrated courage in promoting change for which success was not guaranteed within the STEM-related fields in face of personal or professional sacrifice.
- Rising Star Award
Shining the light on an individual who has demonstrated exceptional and substantive achievements early in their professional STEM career and who shows promise for future contributions to the field.
- You Inspire Us! Award
This category highlights a woman who has demonstrated success in inspiring others in STEM to look beyond their own horizons and set professional and personal goals that exceed those originally conceived.
- Outstanding Educator in STEM Award
Celebrating a woman who has made a significant impact on the lives of their students and in building students’ interest, success, and leadership in STEM.
- Outstanding Achievement in STEM Award
Honoring a woman who has positively provided significant value or innovation in a STEM field through their noteworthy contributions within their industry.
- Change the Landscape Award