In a spectacular evening of inspiration and innovation, the Women in AI Awards North America 2023 Ceremony unfolded on October 18th in Toronto. This remarkable event brought together visionaries, pioneers, and luminaries in the field of Artificial Intelligence from all corners of North America.
The heart and soul of AI innovation are found not only in the algorithms and technologies but, more importantly, in the brilliant minds that drive this transformative industry forward. We stand in awe of the exceptional women who have been recognized and celebrated for their outstanding contributions.
Innovation and Inspiration Unveiled
The Women in AI Awards are not just accolades; they are a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the unwavering commitment to push the boundaries of what's possible. These awards are a beacon that shines brightly on those who have tirelessly labored to reshape the future of AI, making it more inclusive, diverse, and ethical.
The winners in each category embody the spirit of innovation, the power of diversity, and the boundless potential of AI to change the world for the better. They have brought groundbreaking solutions to life, shattered glass ceilings, and blazed trails that will guide generations to come.
The Women in AI Awards North America Winners by categories are:
Lifetime Achievement Award - Women in AI of the Year
Constanza Gomez-Mont, Founder, Principal C Minds; Co-Founder AI for Climate; 2021-2022 Chair GCF AI for Humanity World Economic Forum, C Minds / AI for Climate (Mexico).
Merve Hickok, Chairwoman and Research Director, Center for AI and Digital Policy (United States)
Nicole Janssen, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, AltaML (Canada)
AI in Startup - AI Entrepreneur of the Year
Atzel Fernanda Abad López, Bionics Engineer, LAIA Technologies (Mexico)
Dora Jambor, CEO & Founder, Mohana Intelligence Inc. (Canada)
Suchi Saria, PhD, Founder and CEO of Bayesian Health, the John C. Malone endowed chair and the Director of the Machine Learning, AI and Healthcare Lab at Johns Hopkins University (United States)
AI in Research - AI Researcher of the Year
Dr. Marisol Flores-Garrido, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico)
Martha White, Associate Professor, University of Alberta (Canada)
Zakia Hammal, Systems Scientist and Assistant Research Professor, Carnegie Mellon University (United States)
AI in Government - AI Disruptor of the Year
Maria Glenski, Senior Data Scientist and Team Lead, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (United States)
AI in Industry - AI Innovator of the Year
Celia Wanderley, Chief Technology Officer, AltaML (Canada)
Chathuri Daluwatte, Head of AI Diagnostics, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease (United States)
Hayde Martinez, Head of AI, Wizeline (Mexico)
Jennifer Vlasiu, Senior Program Manager/Senior Data Scientist at Microsoft | Data Analytics Instructor at York University, Microsoft Canada (Canada)
Sujatha Perepa, Distinguished Engineer, IBM (United States)
Veronica Gutiérrez, Operations Manager, IBM (Mexico)
AI for Good - Responsible AI Leader of the Year
Lourdes Martinez Villaseñor, Ph.D in Computer Science, Universidad Panamericana (Mexico)
Usha Jagannathan, Data & AI Innovation Leader, McKinsey & Company (United States)
Veronique Tremblay, Data Scientist - Responsible AI lead, Beneva (Canada)
AI for Good - ESG AI Leader of the Year
Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology, Google.org (United States)
AI for Good - DEI AI Leader of the Year
Cristina Elena Martinez Pinto, Founder and CEO, PIT Policy Lab, PIT Policy Lab (Mexico)
Ife Adebara, Ph.D Candidate, University of British Columbia (Canada)
Teodora Szasz, Senior Data Scientist, Philips Research North America (United States)
Outstanding in AI - Young Role Model of the Year
Dr. Amira Aissiou, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Student Society (Canada)
Bhaktipriya Radharapu, Tech Lead, Responsible AI, Google (United States)
Nyrma Paulina Hernandez Trejo, Data Scientist, Sofía (Mexico)
Shiza Charania, Biomedical Imaging Researcher, University Health Network (Canada)
Teresa Datta, Machine Learning Engineer, Arthur (United States)
Women in AI Volunteer of the Year Award
Cathy Ong Ly, PhD. Student, University of Toronto and National Marketing Lead, Women in AI Canada (Canada)
Ivete Sanchez-Bravo, Master in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Research Center in Mathematics (Mexico)
Ja'Nya Jenoch, Ph.D., Founder & Visiting Assistant Professor, Women in AI | RHCS (United States)
Samantha Delfín Azuara, Data Engineer, Teradata (Mexico)
Seynabou Ndiaye, Software Developer and Montreal city lead for WAI, Sama (Canada)
Sunny Zhang, Founding Partner, Born Global Ventures (United States)
Building a Brighter Future
In a world where AI touches every aspect of our lives, these women are not just pioneers; they are architects of the future. Their work extends far beyond lines of code; it touches the lives of people, communities, and industries. They are shaping the way we live, work, and interact with technology, setting the stage for a more equitable and enlightened world.
These women have not only achieved remarkable milestones but have also inspired countless others to dream bigger, aim higher, and persist against all odds. They remind us that diversity is not just a buzzword but an essential element in fueling innovation and ensuring that AI benefits all of humanity.
As we celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary women, we also acknowledge that this is not the end of their journey but a significant milestone in their relentless pursuit of excellence. They continue to pave the way for others, mentor future leaders, and drive forward the ever-evolving landscape of AI.
Their journey is an inspiration, their work is groundbreaking, and their impact is immeasurable. We honor them not only for their remarkable accomplishments but also for the change they bring to our world.
Joining Hands for a Brighter Future
The Women in AI Awards North America 2023 may have concluded, but the story is far from over. We invite you to join us in celebrating these exceptional women and the AI community at large. Together, we can continue to foster innovation, promote diversity, and ensure that AI is a force for good in our world.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their invaluable contributions. Your dedication and passion inspire us all to reach greater heights. Let's embark on this journey together, for the future of AI is in our hands.
A hearty shout out to the executive organizing team with that includes members from the steering committee; Alessandra Sala (Director of AI, Shutterstock// Global President of Women in AI), Bhuva Shakti (Founder & CEO, Wallet Max // Chief Ethics & Culture Officer, Women in AI), Frincy Clement (Principal Data Scientist, ADP // WAI Canada Ambassador), Susan Verdiguel (WAI Mexico Ambassador).
About Women in AI
Women in AI (WAI) is a global network of female experts and professionals in the field of Artificial Intelligence working towards inclusive AI that benefits a global society. Through empowerment, knowledge and active collaboration, WAI has grown into a recognized global platform of 12000+ members across 140+ countries with over 200 volunteers and led by prominent and influential women in Artificial Intelligence.