MCWT Honors Four Women Making an Impact in Tech 

‘Woman of the Year in Technology’ awards presented at nonprofit’s 11th Executive Connection Summit 

SOUTHFIELD, MICH., May 16, 2024 – Four leading women promoting and advancing opportunities for girls and women in tech careers or fields of study have earned the title of “Woman of the Year in Technology.” The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation celebrates women making an impact through its Woman of the Year in Technology awards. Each honoree embodies MCWT’s mission of inspiring and growing women in technology.  

“It was energizing to see the nominations pour in for this honor,” said Dr. Orletta Caldwell, MCWT executive director. “While we have more work ahead to achieve greater representation in the tech field, this annual tradition reinforces just how many smart, driven and influential women in Michigan are committed to the cause and creating ripple effects of opportunity and positive impact.”  

The awards’ 8^th year brought expanded categories – community impact, education, emerging leader and women empowerment – enabling MCWT to widen the spotlight and create visibility for more changemakers. 

The 2024 Woman of the Year in Technology winners are:   

• Community Impact: Gina King, Chief vCISO, DiverseIT: Through her non-profit initiative, G.I.N.A.S (Giving, Information, Networking, Advocacy, and Support), King encourages girls to explore possibilities within the tech industry, specifically cybersecurity. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is the cornerstone of her mission, aiming to close the gap between underrepresented communities and the tech sector. Gina believes in mentoring aspiring cyber professionals from varied backgrounds, offering them personalized guidance and support to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity. Her mentoring extends beyond professional advice and focuses on building a supportive and sustainable community. Gina uses her 20 years of wisdom and experience in infrastructure architecture, project management, and cybersecurity to empower mentees with the confidence and competence required to excel in technology pursuits.  

• Education: Tamara Shoemaker, VP, CyberPatriot, Co-Founder Midwest CISSE Chapter, Buchanan School Districts: Shoemaker inspires participation and develops the capabilities of countless young women in cybersecurity as the Michigan director of the Airforce Association’s nationwide CyberPatriot program. Having spent 20 years working with the National Security Agency through its Centers of Academic Excellence, she brings knowledge and experience of national security work to the girls in the program. CyberPatriot immerses students in a yearlong learning experience culminating in a final contest where they compete against their peers at the state and national levels. The program is a force in high school technical education statewide. All-girl teams compete for free, and Shoemaker has primarily recruited female sponsors and mentors for the overall team oversight and teaching.  

• Emerging Leader: Shivani Raina, Director – Automotive Data Products, Stellantis: Raina leads innovative, B2B2C and B2B tech products, such as her trailblazing work in the development of monetizable data  as a service and data products for Usage Based Insurance. Her willingness to embrace risk and venture into uncharted territories has been a hallmark of her career. Raina founded Connect.Mentor mentoring program and pioneered  Stellantis Connecting Women in Technology initiative designed to foster the development and empowerment of women in tech at Stellantis. By interviewing C-suite women leaders and sharing their journeys on “T200Cast – Dedicated Podcast for T200, Elevating Women in Technology”, she provided listeners with insights and motivation while showcasing women’s advancement in technology. Raina’s volunteer leadership on the advisory board with MCWT further exemplifies her commitment to this cause. 

• Women Empowerment: Christine Burkette, Director – Digital Equity & Inclusion, City of Detroit: Burkette understands being a leader in tech requires an ongoing effort to keep women at the table. She launched the “City of Detroit Certified Tech Hubs,” providing residents at or below poverty access to digital equity resources that will influence future tech contributors and leaders. She seeks out opportunities to support women and influence positive change in minority communities. She provides mentorship to women and teaches tech courses twice weekly. She encourages her teams to build on their skills through tech certification courses and leadership classes. She is CEO of PICF, Inc. the only female Black-owned IT consulting firm in Michigan and CEO of the nonprofit Michigan Youth STEM, Tech & Aeronautic. 

MCWT presented the awards at its Executive Connection Summit on May 14. The event brings together tech leaders and business professionals to explore thought-provoking topics and provide learning for professional growth.  

With an aspirational mission 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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