Decide who will be the Diversity Ally 2025!
Launched in 2024 to overwhelming enthusiasm, the Diversity Ally Award shines a light on those working tirelessly behind the scenes to build a more inclusive tech world.
Unlike our other categories, this award is decided entirely by you: YOU nominated the allies shaping a more inclusive tech world, and now, it’s YOU who gets to choose the winner. Your vote is what lifts these changemakers into the spotlight. These are the allies unlocking opportunity, backing female tech talent, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
How it works:
- 21 August – 10 September: Audience voting is live
- 12 September: Finalists announced
- 26 September: Winner revealed at the Hidden Figures Awards Night 🎉
Vote in 3 simple steps:
- Browse the nominees below. Click “Learn about …” to read why they were nominated.
- Click on the photo of your chosen nominee. A frame will appear around their picture to confirm your selection.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page, hit VOTE, and submit your email*.
*(We don’t store your data – your email is only used to make sure it’s one person = one vote.)
Now it’s your turn: read their stories, pick your ally, and cast your vote!
Ralph Rosenbauer
Manager Innovation Labs
Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich
As a passionate supporter of the Swiss Women in Robotics chapter, he has provided invaluable mentorship, resources, and advocacy. His commitment to creating an inclusive environment empowers STEM women.
Adrian Brandemuehl
Autonomous Driving Software Engineer
NVIDIA
He is a truly deserving candidate for his tireless efforts in fostering diversity and inclusion within the Swiss robotics community, using his platform to amplify the voices/work of women in robotics.
Lorena Coletti
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Talmatch
I nominate Lorena for her deep, ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion in tech. In her five years at ETH Zurich, she quietly yet powerfully championed equity across multiple dimensions — not for recognition, but because she genuinely cares.
She empowered marginalized talent through inclusive career coaching, designed and led workshops specifically for women — including salary negotiation and interview training — and mentored a female founder in building her startup. She also collaborated with associations like LIMES and WiNS ETH Diversity to create empowering initiatives for women, disabled individuals, international students, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Lorena consistently advocates for those with invisible challenges and challenges systems to be more just, accessible, and inclusive. Her involvement in ETH’s diversity strategy reflects her commitment to long-term, structural change. Lorena doesn’t just talk about inclusion — she builds it. With empathy, intersectionality, and practical action, she opens doors and shifts cultures for the better.
Kateryna Portmann
Senior Product Manager
ANYbotics
Kateryna Portmann is a driving force behind innovation, inclusion, and empowerment in robotics and AI. As Product Manager at ANYbotics, she is at the helm of one of the company’s most forward-thinking, high-impact product initiatives—pushing the boundaries of robotics into real-world, revenue-generating applications. Her strategic vision and technical insight are shaping the future of autonomous inspection.
Beyond her core role, Kateryna leads Sandbox AI, a pioneering initiative in partnership with the Canton of Zurich, aimed at accelerating responsible AI development and deployment through regulatory innovation. She brings this same forward-thinking approach to the global stage, having organized a high-level roundtable in Davos, creating space for diverse and interdisciplinary voices in the tech dialogue.
Kateryna is also the co-lead of Women in Robotics Switzerland, where she champions visibility, mentorship, and opportunities for women in the robotics field. Internally at ANYbotics, she has initiated meaningful programs to support and retain women in tech roles, fostering a more inclusive company culture.
What truly sets Kateryna apart is how she leads by example. As a mother of two, she challenges outdated notions about career trade-offs—demonstrating that it’s possible to drive breakthrough innovation, build inclusive communities, and balance family life with authenticity and purpose.
Kateryna doesn’t just work at the cutting edge—she empowers others to rise with her, across industry, community, and family.