Hidden Figures Awards

The Hidden Figures Awards celebrate the extraordinary women and allies in STEM – innovators, leaders, and visionaries whose breakthroughs inspire the next generation and reshape what’s possible.

Congratulations to the finalists and winners of the Hidden Figures Awards 2026!

The Hidden Figures Awards 2026 have officially wrapped – and what a celebration it was! On the 25th of September at #wetechtogether 2026, we honoured the incredible women and allies who are making tech more inclusive, innovative, and human.

Each category featured two outstanding finalists and one remarkable winner – together, they represent the passion and progress driving change across the industry.

Non-Profit Organisation category

Meet the winner

Javiera Guedes HFA Non-Profilt Finalists

Javiera Guedes

Founder and President of Elevate Tech

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Meet the finalists

Carla Buenger HFA Finalist Non-Profit

Carla Buenger

President of the White Lense Foundation

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Preethi Padmanabhan HFA Non-Profit finalist

Preethi Padmanabhan

Founder Tech for Equality

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Innovation / Start-up category

Meet the winner

Martina Rothenbühler HFA Innovation Startup Finalist

Martina Rothenbühler

Scientific Program Manager Diabetes Center Berne

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Meet the finalists

Jasmin Schoch HFA Innovation Startup finalist

Jasmin Schoch

Product-Owner ViaCommuna

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Empowered Woman category

Meet the winner

Adelheid Moxon HFA Empowered Woman finalsit

Adelheid Moxon

Head ad of People Innovation & Transformation Holcim

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Meet the finalists

Hila Meller HFA Empowered Woman finalsit

Hila Meller

Senior Cybersecurity Executive

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Andra-Irina Vasile HFA Empowered Woman finalsit

Andra-Irina Vasile

Founder Netiquetteers

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Diversity Ally category

Meet the winner

Andra-Irina Vasile HFA Empowered Woman finalsit

Andra-Irina Vasile

Founder
Netiquetteers

Find out more

 

Meet the finalists

Chantelle Brandt Larsen HFA Diversity ally finalist

Chantelle Brandt Larsen

Founder & CEO
Systematic-X

Find out more

 

Emilie Brandt HFA Diversity Ally finalist

Emilie Brandt

HR & CSR Manager
Legrand (Schweiz) AG

Find out more

 

A huge thank-you to everyone who nominated, voted, and joined us in shining a light on these hidden figures. Your support helps us spotlight the people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make tech better for all. 

About the Awards

Why do we celebrate?

The Hidden Figures Awards exist to make sure no brilliant contribution goes unseen. Like the Black women behind NASA’s moon landing, too many women in STEM change the game without the world ever noticing. We’re here to change that by shining a light on the women whose work, vision, and impact shape our collective future.

Who can be nominated?

Think of that colleague who led a groundbreaking project, the friend whose startup is solving tough problems, or the woman whose volunteer work empowers communities through tech. They don’t seek the spotlight. They’ve never been nominated – yet they embody the spirit of innovation and resilience that drives STEM forward.

How to nominate?

To honour these changemakers:

  • The Hidden Figures Awards (except the “Diversity Ally” category) are open to women only.
  • Anyone can nominate, even the nominee herself.
  • Nominees must be first-time awardees or finalists (of any award).
  • Nominations must connect directly to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics).

Hidden Figures Award categories

Empowered Woman

Empowered Woman

Startup / Innovation

Startup / Innovation

Non Profit

Non-Profit Organisation

Schedule

15 May – 10 August
Nominations open

8 September
Announcement of finalists

25 September
Award Ceremony

A jury panel, chosen for their expertise and commitment to advancing diversity in tech, will review nominations and vote. The top three finalists in each category will join us at the Hidden Figures Awards ceremony, where we’ll announce the winners.

Diversity Ally Award
(audience choice)

Launched in 2024 to overwhelming enthusiasm, the Diversity Ally Award celebrates the champions building a more inclusive tech world. Unlike our other categories – which are open only to women – this one welcomes everyone who embodies the spirit of allyship. It’s also the only award decided by the public, not a jury. Your votes helped shine a light on those unlocking opportunity, backing female tech talent, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.

Schedule

15 May – 10 August
Nominations open

21 Aug. – 10 September
Audience voting

12 September
Announcement of finalists

26 September
Award Ceremony

All finalists will…

  • Be invited to celebrate their nomination at the Award Night and join us at the #wetechtogether conference the following day.
  • Receive a free Award Night ticket and a discounted #wetechtogether conference ticket for their +1, along with exclusive partner offers and additional discounts.
  • Enjoy curated gifts and products from our prize sponsors.

 

Hidden Figures Awards 2026 category sponsors

Hidden Figures Awards 2026 prize sponsors

Davos Tech Summit
Fossil Switzerland
Digitec Galaxus logo
Product Mananagement Festival Logo

Are you passionate about advancing women in STEM? Join us. Support the Hidden Figures Awards and become a partner in celebrating innovation, leadership, and human impact. Reach out to explore sponsorship opportunities!

Meet our esteemed jury panel

These are the experts who will decide the winners of the Hidden Figure Awards 2026. Each member has been carefully selected for their expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in technology.

✨ Click on their picture to learn more about their work and contributions.

Chantelle

Anita Martinecz Fehér
Canton Zurich

Emelie Emanuelsson HFA Keynote

Emelie Emanuelsson
Siemens

Katja

Marianne Temerowski
Swisscom

Marta Raus-Zaglio SIX

Marta Raus-Zaglio
SIX Group

Angeles Fernandez small

Angeles Fernandez
ABB

Katja Hailer Fossil

Katja Hailer
Fossil Group Europe

Discover past Hidden Figures Award winners

Every year, our juries face the exhilarating challenge of selecting winners from a pool of extraordinary candidates.

Want to see the change makers we’ve celebrated in past years? Explore their stories, their work, and the ripple
effect of their impact.

Hidden Figures Awards jury

Awards sponsors over the years

Six years of celebrating exceptional women and allies in tech – made possible by the partners who share our vision.

Bel Nada logo
Digitec Galaxus png
Fossil Switzerland
Kanton Zürich
Merkle Digitalagentur
Die Post Logo
Sheraton Zurich Hotel
SHEWEALTH_black
Startup Women Logo DE
Die Post Logo
Taucherli Logo
Terreni alla Maggia Logo EN
Zürcher Kantonal Bank
Zurich Switzerland logo
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Hidden Figures Awards