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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.
Event Sponsors - Thank You For Your Support!
Signature Sponsor:
Scholarship Sponsors:
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Women & Hi Tech exists to change the landscape of women represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and related Hi Tech fields to be equally inclusive to all. In support of this mission, Women and Hi Tech will award at least $55,000 in scholarships and grants to women in STEM in Indiana at the 2024 Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala (LLA)
We invite all passionate women, including diverse women, in STEM careers interested in pursuing professional development opportunities in STEM fields - and who intend to stay in Indiana upon completing the opportunity - to apply. One application will enable you to be considered for all scholarships/grants you qualify for.
Click HERE to review the eligibility requirements for scholarships.
Click HERE to review the eligibility requirements for grants and professional development funding.
Apply Now!
Click HERE to submit an undergraduate or graduate scholarship application
Click HERE to apply for a grant and/or professional development funding
At least the following Scholarships/Grants will be awarded:
Scholarships
Women and Hi Tech Undergraduate Scholarship ($5,000) - Awarded to an aspiring woman pursuing an undergraduate degree in STEM in Indiana, who intends to remain in the state after graduating to put her education to work in our community.
Women and Hi Tech Graduate Scholarship ($5,000) - Presented to a woman pursuing a graduate or professional degree in a STEM field in Indiana, who plans to stay in the state after graduation.
Women & Hi Tech High School Senior Scholarship ($5,000) - Awarded to a young woman who has just finished high school and is entering her first year of college in a STEM field in Indiana, and plans to stay in the state after graduation.
Women & Hi Tech Rare Nickel Scholarship ($5,000) - This scholarship recognizes and honors the recipients of the first Leading Light Awards winners in 2000 - Laura Larimer, Carol Curran, Dr. Catherine Olmer, Dr. Erica Villareal and Amy Conrad Werner. Their boldness, brilliance, innovations and advancements in STEM have established a unique legacy of STEM leadership over the past two decades.
The Barnes & Thornburg Scholarship ($3,000) - Presented to an outstanding female law student studying corporate or patent law in Indiana – with patent law being the only legal practice that requires a STEM background.
The Bell Techlogix Scholarship ($2,500)- Awarded to a young woman attending an Indiana college or university for her first year of study in a STEM field.
The Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Scholarship ($3,000) - Awarded to an Indiana Girl Scout pursuing study in a STEM field.
The Central Indiana ISACA Scholarship ($2,500) - Awarded to a female undergraduate student pursuing a cybersecurity or information technology audit related degree.
The Ivy Tech Community College Scholarship ($2,500) - Awarded to a student pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math at Ivy Tech Community College.
The Professional Management Enterprises Scholarships (2, $1,000 each) - Awarded to two young women who have recently finished high school and are entering their first year of STEM study at an Indiana college or university. PME is a professional services and personnel staffing company that supports organizations with continuous process improvement, project management, behavioral science insights and applications, innovation and implementation support, and management consultation.
The Sallie Mae Scholarship ($3,000) - Awarded to a female student pursuing a STEM degree.
The SIM Indy Leading the Future Scholarships (2, $2,500 each) - These scholarships will be presented to female STEM students in Indiana studying in a field related to information technology, computing or MIS. These students - one an undergraduate and one a graduate student - have demonstrated academic success, school or community leadership, and will lead and influence future STEM students and professionals.
The Jo Basey Spirit Scholarship ($3,000) - Honoring Jo Basey, who demonstrates passion for service to the academic and business information technology communities. These traits will be personified by this scholarship recipient, who demonstrates excellence in academic scholarship, leadership, and management of business information technologies through her studies, experiences, and intended career path.This scholarship will be awarded to the overall top junior or senior undergraduate or graduate female STEM student studying in a field related to information technology, computing, or management information systems.
The #InThisTogether Scholarship (amount TBD) - A scholarship that is fully funded by donations from Women & Hi Tech members and individuals in our Indiana STEM community. It gives an opportunity for each of us to invest together in supporting future generations of women in STEM in Indiana. Click here to make your donation! Consider making a $25 donation in celebration of our 25th Anniversary ($25 for 25!)
See grant opportunities below the tracker!
2024 #INThisTogether Scholarship
| Collected: | $975.00 |
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| Goal: | $5,000.00 |
Women and Hi Tech Professional Development Grant ($5,000)- Awarded to a woman or women pursuing professional development in science, technology, engineering, or math and who intends to remain in Indiana.
The RB Consulting & Vita Nova Consulting STEM Sales & Marketing Professional Development Grant ($2,500) - Awarded to a woman working in a STEM field seeking to further her knowledge and expertise in a STEM field or to improve her sales/marketing capabilities.
The CareerCircle Professional Development Grant ($500) - Awarded to a woman interested in pursuing professional development through one of CareerCircle's Google Professional Certificate courses. View courses and career paths here.
Startup Ladies One-Year Membership Grant ($540)- Presented to an extraordinary female pursuing entrepreneurship. The Startup Ladies is a membership organization that identifies, educates, connects, and increases investment in women entrepreneurs starting up and scaling businesses.
Awards Categories - Nominations Open through Monday, July 1
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the Equity and Inclusion Champion Award HERE
- OperationALL™ Male Ally 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.
Submit a nomination for the OperationALL™ Male Ally Award HERE
- Mentor Me! Award
Recognizing an exemplary female leader for their role in fostering intellectual, creative, and professional growth for women in STEM in Indiana.
Submit a nomination for the Mentor Me! Award HERE
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the Leadership Award HERE
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the Risk Taker Award HERE
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the Rising Star Award HERE
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the You Inspire Us! Award HERE
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the Outstanding Educator in STEM Award HERE
- 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.
Submit a nomination for the Outstanding Achievement in STEM Award HERE
- Change the Landscape Award
Celebrating a female who has made a significant impact to positively change the landscape of women represented in STEM
Submit a nomination for the Change the Landscape Award HERE