Connecticut Technology Council Announces 12 Women of Innovation Award Recipients

The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) celebrated outstanding Connecticut women in STEM at its 20th annual Women of Innovation® awards ceremony on October 28, 2025. The event recognized 46 accomplished finalists, showcasing Connecticut's growing diversity and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and announced 12 award winners across nine categories.

The event brought together CTC members, sponsors, partners, and supporters, as well as government representatives and finalists' colleagues and families. A lively networking reception preceded the awards ceremony, which recognized all finalists and announced the winners. Held annually since 2005, the Women of Innovation program has created a vibrant community of women and girls in STEM, passionate about making an impact, mentoring, leading, and sharing their expertise with those pursuing career development and growth. It is one of the largest networks of women in technology, science, and engineering in Connecticut.

Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz provided opening remarks, highlighting the critical role of innovation in advancing Connecticut’s economy and seizing new opportunities, and the importance of women being strongly represented in defining and realizing that future.

12 Award Winners Selected

The following women were honored for their exceptional contributions to Connecticut's technology ecosystem:

Corporate Innovation and Leadership – Large Business

Dawn Maskell – IT Business Relationship Manager, Eversource Energy

Corporate Innovation and Leadership – Small/Medium Business

• Rajeswari Kompalli- Vice President, Research and Development, Laticrete International, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership

• Roberta Nole – Founder and CEO, Nolaro24 LLC; Stride Physical Therapy and Pedorthic Center

Research Innovation and Leadership

• Lea Winter, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University

Community Innovation and Leadership

• Jodie Gillon – President and CEO, BioCT

Academic Innovation and Leadership – Post-Secondary (TIE)

• Jasna Jankovic, Ph.D. - Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut
• Kiku Jones, Ph.D. – Professor and Chair of Department of Business Analytics and Information, Quinnipiac University School of Business

Academic Innovation and Leadership – Secondary (TIE)

• Sarah Reeves – Science Teacher, Amity Regional High School, Woodbridge
• Chinma Uche, Ph.D. – Computer Science and Mathematics Teacher, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, Windsor

Collegian Innovation and Leadership

• Anjal Jain - Undergraduate Student, Yale University; Founder, AdheRx

Youth Innovation and Leadership (TIE)

• Rhea Doshi – High School Student, Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford
• Namyanzi Edwards – High School Student, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, Windsor

All nominees had to meet the following minimum requirements: currently working or studying in Connecticut, demonstrated strong leadership abilities, and serving as a mentor - either short or long-term, peer, career or life mentor. Nominees also met the specific requirements of the award category in which they were nominated.

CTC Executive Director Milena Stankova Erwin emphasized the importance of the event in highlighting and promoting women and girls in Connecticut's technology sector – and the increasingly significant contributions they are making. "These remarkable women exemplify the innovation and leadership driving Connecticut's tech ecosystem forward. Their achievements not only contribute to scientific advancement and business growth but also inspire the next generation of STEM leaders," Erwin said.

In addition to recognizing established professionals, the event provided scholarships to youth finalists, supporting their future educational endeavors in STEM fields. This initiative underscores CTC's commitment to nurturing emerging talent and ensuring a diverse pipeline of future innovators. Several finalists shared posters of their work, and CT Invention Convention young inventors shared their inventions, during the networking reception.

Numerous award winners reflected on the significant role of mentors in their individual careers, citing the essential encouragement that was provided – an aspect that they are echoing in their own career journeys. As one award recipient urged attendees, “as you climb, reach back and bring others with you!”

The keynote speaker was Esther S. Takeuchi, Ph.D., who holds more than 150 patents and a joint appointment at Brookhaven National Laboratory as Chief Scientist and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Science Department, and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, National Inventors Hall of Fame and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The 20th annual Women of Innovation® awards event was sponsored by Medtronic (Platinum); Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP (Silver); Arvinas, Inc. (Bronze); Day Pitney LLP (Bronze); McCarter & English, LLP (Bronze); Comcast Business (Bronze); Otis (Bronze); State of Connecticut Office of Innovation (Bronze); Carillon Technologies (Award); and Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (Award). Supporting level sponsors were Bento Engine, Income Conductor, Laticrete Internation, NBT Bank, iQ4, RSL Advanced Lighting Technologies, Southern Connecticut State University and Yale Ventures. Scholarship funding was provided by Carillon Technologies, Fuel Cell Energy, Nel, and Income Conductor. Media Sponsor was WTNH News 8; event emcee was Laura Hutchinson.

The Women of Innovation awards event was held at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bristol. For more information about the 46 impressive Women of Innovation finalists, go to www.ct.org/womenofinnovation.