MCWT Names Judy Asher its New President

Anita Klopfenstein to serve as vice president

SOUTHFIELD, MICH., Jan. 28, 2025 – Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT) has named Judy Asher and Anita Klopfenstein as its new president and vice president, respectively. Their tech and leadership expertise will help advance MCWT as it continues to inspire and grow more girls and women in IT across the state. They are joined by MCWT’s diverse board of directors, who serve in two-year terms and help strategically guide the organization.  

Past president Grace Hansen, vice president of Global Change and Capability at Stellantis and longtime MCWT contributor and volunteer, will now serve on the advisory board.  

“MCWT is a convening force throughout Michigan – we are great at connecting people with an interest and stake in growing a thriving tech economy here,” said Asher. “Our community now includes 1,500 members – nearly 2/3 of which volunteer with us – and 192 partners who help us create transformative programs and positive outcomes for people and business.” 

Asher, senior director of enterprise architecture at Baxter International, has supported MCWT over the last 15 years in roles such as vice president and chief mission officer for university programs. Her work advocating for women in tech earned her the Woman of the Year in Technology award in 2018. She will also assume the role as MCWT’s interim executive director as of Jan. 17.  

Klopfenstein, global chief information and digital officer at Little Caesar’s and Ilitch Owned Companies, served on MCWT’s advisory board since 2023. She is responsible for strategic direction, development, deployment, and maintenance of technology across Ilitch Holdings companies, such as Little Caesars, Red Wings National Hockey Team, Tigers Major League Baseball Team and Little Caesars Arena.  

Klopfenstein was named Top Innovator at the Women in Foodservice Technology Awards in 2017; Michigan Global CIO of the Year by Inspire CIO in 2021; and CIO of the Year by Inspire CIO in the Enterprise Category in 2022.  

“I’m looking forward to helping MCWT create both a broader and deeper impact statewide,” said Klopfenstein. “There are always more people to reach, and we’re motivated to build from a strong 2024 where we hosted 40 experiences in service of empowering girls and women in tech.”  

With a vision to make Michigan the No. 1 state for girls and women in technology, the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation delivers programming, scholarships, networking, learning, mentoring and robust technology experiences. Find more at mcwt.org and connect via LinkedIn and Facebook. 

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Editor’s note: Headshots of Asher and Klopfenstein can be found at mcwt.org.