Irish computer scientist, Sheree Atcheson was awarded the coveted Grace Hopper Award at this year’s Diversity in Tech Awards. Organised by Dublin Tech Summit, in association with AWS, the Awards, now in their fourth year, aim to highlight the achievements of companies and individuals that promote different backgrounds and genders across Ireland’s booming technology industry.
[Watch the Diversity in Tech Awards 2021 on demand]
Since their inception, the Awards have been hugely significant in showcasing female role models within the industry, and encouraging young women to choose careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This year’s Diversity in Tech Awards saw over 700 virtual guests tune in, receiving over 300 submissions from 25 countries across the globe, from which 90 candidates were shortlisted.
The panel of judges was composed of some of Ireland's leading tech stars, including Furkan Karayel, Inclusive Leadership advisor and CEO at Diversein.com; Niamh Graham SVP, Global HX and Gearoid Kearney CEO of myAccessHub.
Tata Consultancy Services took away the main prize of International Diverse Company Of The Year, sponsored by Oracle, with the Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Twitter, won by Specialisterne. The Special Recognition Award recognises significant achievements made by an organisation whose focus is to increase the rights, opportunities, and visibility of the communities and groups they serve.
The main winner on the night was Sheree Atcheson, a Sri Lankan-born Irish computer scientist and Global director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Peakon. The award, named after the pioneering female computer programmer in the United States, Grace Hopper, was awarded to Sheree in recognition of her services to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Sheree is currently head of Diversity and Inclusion at Valtech and previously worked for well-known tech brands Monzo and Deloitte.
Speaking about this year’s Awards, Tracey Carney, managing director of the Diversity in Tech Awards said; “One of the positive things to emerge from the pandemic has been the ongoing work to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, despite that workplace being largely remote. All nominated candidates can be proud of what both they and their respective companies have achieved in highlighting and celebrating diversity during challenging times. They represent a bright example of the future talent here in Ireland and internationally.”
Speaking after receiving the Grace Hopper Award, Sheree Atcheson, said; “I am so humbled to receive the Grace Hopper award this year – thank you for this acknowledgement. There are so many phenomenal women leaders in technology out there, and to be highlighted and chosen amongst them all means a lot. My journey in tech has spanned from software engineer, to tech consultant, to published author and now global diversity and inclusion executive and I’m so excited for what’s next. The future for women in tech is bright and I’m honoured to play a role in continuing to push and create an industry that truly does work for everyone. Picking up the baton from Barbara McCarthy is such an honour, and I can’t wait to pass it on to someone else next year too!”
Other winners on the night included Usha Khatiwada of Nepal, NRN Infrastructure & Development Limited for the International Diversity Role Model Award, sponsored by Wrike, Alina Timofeeva, Oliver Wyman of the UK as winner of the Rising Star Award, sponsored by Dublin City Centre LEO and Neha Shukla, SixFeetApart of the United States as winner of the Young Female STEM Pioneer Award,sponsored by Phorest.