Across the tech industry, women are building companies, scaling platforms, investing in founders, and strengthening the ecosystems that allow innovation to thrive. Many of the women on this list are driving innovation inside high-growth startups or global enterprises. Others are building organizations that support entrepreneurs, strengthen local economies, or bring more people into the tech workforce. Some are quietly transforming industries through operational leadership, while others are highly visible advocates for inclusion, mentorship, and founder success.
Together, these 43 women in tech are shaping the future of technology through leadership, creativity, and a commitment to expanding opportunity.
Founders and Innovators
Ana Timoficiuc
Founder, MinaRosa Technologies | Detroit, MI
Ana Timoficiuc brings both deep technical experience and entrepreneurial ambition to the tech industry. As the founder of MinaRosa Technologies, she is developing innovative solutions while advocating for greater representation of women in STEM and entrepreneurship. As a student, Ana sought hands-on opportunities to work on real engineering challenges, from early aerospace internships to research and student rocketry teams, eventually contributing to engineering teams at companies including Aurora and SpaceX.
Lindsay A. Joseph
Co-Founder & CEO, BedConnect | Detroit, MI
Lindsay A. Joseph is the co-founder and CEO of BedConnect, a healthcare technology company focused on modernizing how hospitals transition patients to post-acute care. After a career in hospital leadership, Joseph witnessed firsthand how inefficient discharge processes were failing patients who were forced to wait days for the next level of care. Rather than accept the system as it was, she left the C-suite to build a solution.
Lindsay’s leadership is an inspiration to many, and multiple nominations praised both her leadership style and advocacy. As one nominator shared, Lindsay “leads with humility, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others”. Beyond building BedConnect, she is also committed to strengthening the region’s health tech ecosystem. She founded a curated network supporting women founders in Southeast Michigan, FoundHERS MedTech Entrepreneur Circle, and regularly mentors other entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of building and funding healthcare startups. Through both her company and her community leadership, Lindsay is helping shape the future of health innovation in Detroit and across the Midwest.
Beth Hussey
Founder, Shifty Inc | Detroit, MI
Beth Hussey focuses on solving real-world operational challenges. As the founder of Shifty Inc., Beth developed an app that helps restaurants manage workforce scheduling, training, and day-to-day operational workflows more efficiently.
Beth’s work highlights the importance of founders who combine vision with execution. With Shifty, she deeply understood a problem, taught herself to code, and built a solution that could have an immediate impact on restaurant operators. By focusing on practical tools that improve how businesses actually run, she continues to play an important role in Detroit’s growing startup ecosystem, where she is known for encouraging other founders tackling operational challenges.
Achsha Jones
Founder & CEO, Trip Slip | Detroit, MI
Achsha Jones is a proud Detroiter, a single mother of two, and the founder and CEO of TripSlip, a technology company that digitizes permission slips for school field trips. Growing up, she watched her mother work multiple jobs to support the family, an example of resilience that shaped her own approach to work and entrepreneurship. The idea for TripSlip emerged while coordinating school trips at the museum, where she saw firsthand how inefficient and cumbersome the paper permission slip process could be for parents and teachers. Determined to solve the problem, Achsha founded TripSlip to create a digital platform that simplifies field trip permissions, payments, and communication. Today, she leads the company while continuing to champion the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit that define both her journey and the city she calls home.
Whitney Wolfe Herd
Founder & CEO, Bumble | Houston, TX
Whitney Wolfe Herd is the founder of Bumble, the dating platform she launched in her mid-20s with a mission to give women more agency in online dating. Since its launch more than a decade ago, Bumble has grown into one of the most recognizable consumer tech brands in the world. Her leadership focuses on safety, agency, and a healthier digital culture, which differentiates Bumble’s product philosophy. As one of the most visible female founders in consumer tech, she continues to shape conversations about leadership, product design, and the role technology plays in modern relationships. Her work has also helped expand the conversation around women’s leadership in the technology industry.
Praveena Ramaswami
Co-founder, Cargility | Detroit, MI
Praveena Ramaswami has built her career at the intersection of advanced mobility, enterprise technology, and purpose-driven innovation. She specializes in translating complex mobility technologies into clear market narratives. As co-founder of Cargility, she is developing a mobility technology designed to restore vehicle independence and dignity for individuals facing ambulatory challenges, combining mobility market insight with a strong commitment to inclusive transportation. Beyond her work as a founder, Praveena is recognized by peers as a generous leader and active community builder within Michigan’s mobility and innovation ecosystem.
Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey
Founder & CEO, SpringFour | Chicago, IL
Rochelle Nawrocki Gorey is focused on using technology to solve real financial challenges. In founding SpringFour, Rochelle built a first-of-its-kind financial health platform that helps banks, lenders, and credit unions connect customers with nonprofit and government resources designed to improve financial stability. Under her leadership, SpringFour has become a leading financial health fintech and a Certified B Corporation, using technology to help financial institutions better support people navigating financial hardship. As one of the few women leading a social-impact fintech, Rochelle has earned national recognition, including American Banker’s Most Influential Women in Fintech in 2024. By building strong partnerships between fintech and community organizations, she is helping expand access to financial resources for millions of consumers.
Lauren Flanagan
Co-founder and Chief CEO, Sesame Solar | Jackson, MI
Lauren Flanagan is a climate tech founder rethinking how clean energy is deployed. As co-founder and CEO of Sesame Solar, she leads the company behind Mobile Nanogrids, which is a rapidly deployable energy system powered by solar, green hydrogen, and battery storage. Lauren’s career spans both software and clean energy innovation. With Sesame Solar, Laren is helping drive the next generation of resilient, renewable energy solutions, securing customers ranging from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Marine Corps to cities, telecom companies, and NGOs working in disaster recovery. At the same time, she is contributing to Michigan’s growing climate innovation ecosystem.
Katie Hall
Founder & CEO, Claira Technologies
Katie Hall is the founder and CEO of Claira Technologies, a workforce optimization platform designed to help industrial companies navigate the changing nature of work. Claira, helps organizations better manage talent, productivity, and operational planning as automation and artificial intelligence reshape the workforce. Hall has spent nearly a decade in global workforce development, helping companies and policy organizations prepare for the future of work, building competency models and strategies to navigate the impact of automation and AI.
Heather Ruby
Founder, With Haven AI and CEO, ARC Engineering Solutions | Howell, MI
Heather Ruby is both the CEO of ARC Engineering Solutions, where she spent more than a decade co-leading an automation and engineering company, and the founder of With Haven AI, an AI-powered platform designed to support caregivers. Heather’s work reflects a deeply personal understanding of how technology can support people during life’s most difficult moments. Through Haven AI and her public speaking, Heather is advocating for technology that is not just profit maximizing but designed to bring greater clarity, coordination, and compassion to the people when and where they need it.
Leslie Youngblood
Co-Founder & CEO, TableTag | Founder, Youngblood MMC | Detroit, MI
Leslie Youngblood is a SaaS founder and growth strategist whose work spans technology and marketing with a deep focus on community building. Currently she leads two companies that she also founded. She launched TableTag, a vertical SaaS platform, to streamline collaboration between restaurants and marketing teams. Her consultancy, Youngblood MMC, helps Michigan-based companies scale revenue, build stronger brands, and generate millions in new business pipeline. A committed ecosystem builder, Leslie shares her experience and insights through her Serious Lady Business podcast, and advisory roles.Throughout all these roles, she amplifies women founders and connects entrepreneurs across Detroit’s growing innovation community.
Ramona Fellmy
Founder & CEO, Dapp Detroit | Detroit, MI
Ramona Fellmy is focused on building intelligent automation and AI-driven platforms that help organizations operate more efficiently. In 2015 she founded Dapp Detroit where she leads a team developing custom software, automation systems, and AI-powered solutions across industries, including fintech, healthcare, and enterprise SaaS. Roman is also an active mentor and advocate for women in technology. She supports Girls in STEM initiatives and startup mentorship programs, helping to expand opportunities for the next generation of founders.
Stacy Paul
Founder & CEO, Array of Engineers | Grand Rapids, MI
Stacy Paul is an aerospace engineer and entrepreneur leading one of Michigan’s fastest-growing engineering firms. Stacy’s career began in aerospace, including work supporting NASA’s Space Shuttle and Space Station programs. Today, she oversees a women-owned engineering company, Array of Engineers, as Founder and CEO. Stacy is a passionate advocate for STEM education. She mentors robotics teams, coaches Science Olympiad, and works to inspire more young women to pursue careers in engineering.
Amy Beckley
Founder & CEO, Proov | Boulder, CO
Amy Beckley is transforming how women understand their fertility health. Using her background in pharmaceutical chemistry and years of experience in drug development, she founded Proov, the first FDA-cleared at-home test designed to confirm successful ovulation. Proov gives women greater insight into their reproductive health. Amy has also become a leading voice in the growing femtech movement. She advocates for better research, technology, and transparency in women’s health. Through education, public speaking, and mentoring other founders, she continues working to expand opportunities for women both as patients and innovators.
Julia Regan
Founder & CEO, RxLightning | New Albany, IN
Healthcare technology founder Julia Regan was determined to improve how patients access specialty medications. Through her company RxLightning, which was recently acquired by CoverMyMeds, she leads a platform designed to simplify the complex process of enrolling patients in specialty drug programs. Julia is also an active contributor to the Midwest startup ecosystem, mentoring founders and speaking about entrepreneurship and digital transformation in healthcare.
Kristina Bagnoli
Founder & CEO, 5Senses | Lafayette, IN
Kristina Bagnoli builds digital tools designed to strengthen human connection and communication. Her company, 5Senses, helps individuals better understand relationships, emotions, and personal wellbeing through guided digital experiences. As part of a growing group of founders exploring how technology can improve emotional intelligence, Kristina is helping to cover the gaps in personal, human-centered communication in an increasingly digital world.
Ecosystem Builders and Community Leaders
Amanda Lewan
Founder & CEO, Bamboo Detroit | Detroit, MI
Amanda Lewan co-founded Bamboo to help grow Michigan’s creative and innovation community by creating spaces where entrepreneurs, startups, and leaders can connect and collaborate. Since launching Bamboo, the organization has expanded to locations in Detroit, Royal Oak, and Ann Arbor, becoming one of the region’s most active hubs for founders and creative professionals. Through these community spaces, Amanda has helped thousands of startups and entrepreneurs find the connections, mentorship, and workspace needed to grow their businesses. Her leadership focuses on creating environments where innovation and collaboration can thrive. By building spaces that bring founders together, she has helped strengthen Detroit’s reputation as an emerging hub for entrepreneurship.
Nadiyah Johnson
Founder & Executive Director, Jet Constellations and Milkyway Tech Hub | Milwaukee, WI
Nadiyah Johnson is a powerful advocate for expanding access to technology education and careers. She founded Jet Constellations and launched its social impact arm, Milky Way Tech Hub, to promote racial diversity in technology through STEM education, entrepreneurship programs, and community-driven tech initiatives. Together, the organizations work to build a supportive ecosystem for diverse technologists, founders, and students entering the industry. Nadiayah’s work is rooted in her commitment to uplifting her community through education, mentorship, and investment in local talent. She is helping build pathways into technology careers while advancing her broader vision of Milwaukee as the “Milky Way Tech Hub”, a thriving tech ecosystem that reflects the diversity of the city itself.
Alex Masten
Director of Entrepreneurial Services, Lean Rocket Lab | Jackson, MI
Alex Masten is described by her nominators as a “super connector” within Jackson’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through her work at Lean Rocket Lab and other community initiatives, she helps founders access the mentorship, networks, and resources they need to launch and grow businesses. Rather than focusing solely on startups themselves, Alex invests in the people behind them by offering encouragement, mentorship, and connections that help entrepreneurs move their ideas forward. Whether she’s guiding a high-tech founder through Lean Rocket’s programs or supporting a local woman-owned business through Michigan Tribe, she’s always building people up. By strengthening local networks and investing in founders, Alex is helping create a more collaborative and inclusive environment for entrepreneurs.
Patti Glaza
Managing Director, Invest Detroit Ventures | Detroit, MI
Patti Glaza is the Managing Director at Invest Detroit Ventures, where she works closely with early-stage founders to help them raise capital, refine their strategies, and grow their companies. Her career has been defined by a commitment to supporting emerging entrepreneurs and strengthening regional innovation ecosystems. Patti was nominated for her thoughtful approach to investing, and her willingness to mentor founders navigating the challenges of startup growth. Her colleagues share that many founders credit her with providing both practical guidance and long-term support as they scale their companies.
Emily Drier
Senior Project Manager, Origami Risk; Co-Founder, tech[inclusive] | Greater Lansing, MI
After starting her career as an eighth-grade English teacher, Emily Drier transitioned into tech and built a decade of experience leading complex technical initiatives. Today, as a Senior Project Manager at Origami Risk, she collaborates with teams across the organization to deliver impactful software solutions for clients in the insurance industry. Emily is also the co-founder of tech[inclusive], a nonprofit that helps people from underrepresented backgrounds enter the tech workforce through education, mentorship, and community support.
Hilary Doe
President and Chief Growth Officer, Michigan Institute for Growth & Opportunity | Detroit, MI
Hilary Doe is helping position Michigan as one of the Midwest’s emerging technology hubs. As Chief Growth Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, she leads initiatives designed to attract high-growth startups, support founders and strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem. Working alongside the Growing Michigan Together Council, Hilary is helping guide a forward-thinking strategy focused on attracting talent, supporting communities, and positioning Michigan for long-term economic growth. She also recently launched the Michigan Institute for Growth & Opportunity, the first statewide institute focused on healthy economic & population growth-bold policy, project support & partnership.
A longtime leader in civic tech and digital engagement platforms, she previously served as president of NationBuilder, one of the world’s most widely used software platforms for advocacy and community organizing, supporting customers in more than 100 countries. Throughout her career, Hilary has focused on leveraging technology to empower communities, movements, and institutions, an experience she now brings to shaping Michigan’s future growth and innovation economy.
Elaine Ezekiel
Director of Marketing, Atomic Object | Ann Arbor, Michigan
Elaine Ezekiel is the first Director of Marketing at Atomic Object, an employee-owned software consultancy, where she leads brand and demand strategy across four regional markets and oversees recruiting. Since she joined, revenue has grown 180% and the company has doubled in headcount and offices. Elaine is a founding leader of Atomic Object's Diversity Action Council and serves as a trustee of the Ann Arbor Awesome Foundation. She's an active connector in the local tech ecosystem, mentoring emerging leaders and helping people build meaningful relationships in the startup community.
Priya Gogoi
CEO, Michigan Life Sciences Entrepreneur Association (MilSEA) | Ann Arbor, MI
Priya Gogoi co-founded Celsee, where she helped build a pioneering life sciences company that was acquired by Bio-Rad for more than $100 million in 2020. Today, Priya is a passionate ecosystem builder for life sciences startups in Michigan. Through the Michigan Life Science Entrepreneur Association (MiLSEA), she leads programs that connect founders with investors, mentors, and industry leaders across the state. Drawing on her experience as a board member, angel investor, and entrepreneur, Priya helps bridge startups with the broader innovation ecosystem while advocating for Michigan’s growing global presence in life sciences.
Jenna Ritten
Chief Developer Advocate & Architect, IBM | Detroit, MI
Developer advocate and community leader, Jenna Ritten is working to expand access to technology and open-source innovation. As Chief Developer Advocate at IBM Cloud, she helps grow developer ecosystems in cities like Detroit and Austin, supporting the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, blockchain, and cloud platforms. A former cloud software developer who transitioned from a career in medicine, Jenna is a strong advocate for nontraditional paths into tech. She leads initiatives such as Compass Detroit and collaborates with organizations like Women Techmakers, Google Developer Group Detroit, and the Society of Women Engineers to create learning opportunities, hackathons, and community-driven tech events.
Jennifer Olmstead
Vice President of Business Development, Ann Arbor SPARK | Ann Arbor, MI
Jennifer Olmstead is a key connector in Michigan’s technology ecosystem. As Vice President of Business Development at Ann Arbor SPARK, she works with startups and growing companies across Washtenaw County, helping attract investment, create jobs, and support innovation across the region. Her work has contributed to more than 1,000 new jobs and over $120 million in investment. Through initiatives like a2Tech360’s Women in Tech programming, Jennifer helps elevate women founders and leaders while opening doors to new opportunities across the Ann Arbor startup community.
Monica Dominic
Chief Client Officer & Co-Owner, PSI (Proteam Solutions) | Columbus, OH
Monica Dominic is Chief Client Officer and Co-Owner of PSI (Proteam Solutions Ink), working closely with organizations to build high-performing technology teams and deliver large-scale IT solutions. Monica was nominated for her people-first leadership style, and is widely respected by her peers for creating environments where individuals feel empowered to grow and succeed. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and is an active mentor and advocate for women in tech across Ohio, helping expand opportunity and build stronger professional networks.
Swatee Kulkarni
Executive Leader, GDI Infotech, LedgerLync & InfoReady | Ann Arbor, MI
Swatee Kulkarni is building high-growth companies while developing strong, people-centered cultures. Today she is the co-Founder and Executive Vice-President of GDI Infotech, where she helps guide organizations recognized in the Inc. 5000 Hall of Fame. She also is the founder of LedgerLync and Director of InfoReady Corporation. Colleagues credit Swatee for balancing operational excellence with a leadership style grounded in empathy and collaboration. As an active mentor and connector in the technology community, she regularly supports emerging leaders and fosters partnerships that help strengthen the Midwest innovation ecosystem.
Engineering, Product, and Technology Leaders
Annie Corriveau
VP, Technical Program Management, PatientPoint | Atlanta, GA
Annie Corriveau is a rare kind of tech leader, one that is supportive without being passive, bold without being overbearing, and influential without seeking the spotlight. At PatientPoint, she led the company’s transformation from a traditional PMO to a Product Operating Model, aligning teams across the organization around a new way of working. Achieving that level of company-wide alignment in under a year is no small feat, and the clarity and structure she introduced now shape how teams collaborate, prioritize, and deliver results. Annie creates an environment where teams feel empowered to speak up, take thoughtful risks, and grow into stronger leaders. Through mentorship, including her work supporting women in technology through AnitaB.org and communities like Womxn in Digital, she continues to invest in the next generation of tech leaders while modeling what people-centered leadership in technology can look like.
Jasmine Criswell
Founder, Hey Nghbor; Strategic Project Manager, Institutional Anchor Initiatives Michigan Medicine | Ann Arbor, MI
Jasmine Criswell is a rising technology leader translating complex technical ideas into solutions that deliver real-world value. Through her soon to launch Hey Nghbr platform, she hopes to help people discover and share trusted local places and experiences, making it easier to feel connected to their own city while helping small businesses get discovered. Jasmine was nominated for her empathetic leadership style, with colleagues noting she listens closely to users, builds around real community needs rather than chasing trends, and prioritizes accessibility in the products she creates. Along the way, she also mentors emerging technologists and actively encourages more women and underrepresented people to see themselves in tech.
Jessica Reed, PhD
CEO & Board Member, Diapin Therapeutics | Ann Arbor, MI
Jessica Reed brings more than 25 years of experience in biotech to advancing new therapies from early discovery through clinical development and regulatory approval. As CEO of Diapin Therapeutics, she has helped guide the company through a critical stage of growth, moving its lead program toward Phase 2 clinical trials while securing investor interest for the company’s next round of funding. Peers praise her for her ability to translate complex science into a clear strategic direction. As a result, Jessica has quickly positioned Diapin as a promising player in the biotech landscape. Her leadership reflects a rare end-to-end understanding of the drug development process. Multiple colleagues nominated Jessica for her commitment to scientific rigor with a people-first leadership style as she advocates for innovation and greater representation for women in life sciences.
Christine Krathwohl
SVP & President of Distribution, FreightVerify | Northville, MI
Christine Krathwohl is a seasoned leader in auto and tech, with more than 25 years of experience guiding complex global logistics operations. At FreightVerify she brings the operational expertise she gained as Executive Director of Global Logistics at General Motors to the technology side of the industry, helping lead the development and adoption of digital logistics tools. Christine was nominated for her collaborative, people-first leadership style and her ability to translate real-world operational challenges into scalable technology solutions. Outside of her executive role, she is also the founder of LaceUp Detroit, a nonprofit that provides shoes and winter boots to children and women in need across Metro Detroit.
Elke Lipka
President & CEO, TSRL | Ann Arbor, MI
Elke Lipka is a scientist and entrepreneur leading one of Michigan’s most successful preclinical drug development firms. As President and CEO of TSRL, she guides a team focused on solving complex drug delivery and formulation challenges that help pharmaceutical partners move promising therapies toward clinical development. Under her leadership, the company has earned national recognition for its success in securing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding and recently celebrated more than 40 years in business. Elke is also an active supporter of the Midwest life sciences ecosystem. Through TSRL’s accelerator and investment efforts, she has helped launch and support emerging biotech companies across the region and mentor the next generation of life sciences founders.
Erica Cuttitta
SVP of Global Engineering, Optilogic | Park City, UT
Erica Cuttitta is a senior engineering leader who builds high-performing global teams and aligning technical execution with business strategy. Today she is the SVP of Global Engineering at Optilogic. In this role, Erica has strengthened the company’s engineering organization, and her colleagues credit her with elevating engineering standards across regions and positioning the organization for long-term growth. Erica is also a passionate advocate for mentorship and diversity in technology. She’s built leadership development programs, championed opportunities for underrepresented talent, and remains committed to helping the next generation of technologists grow into confident leaders.
Heather Kelly
Vice President of Engineering, SwitchBox | Pinckney, MI
Heather Kelly is an engineering leader helping shape the future of e-mobility and advanced technology. As Vice President of Engineering at SwitchBox. Heather oversees the firm’s global engineering team, guiding technical strategy while mentoring the next generation of engineers. Heather takes her leadership to the next level, regularly participating in university career events, mentoring young engineers, and encouraging her team to engage in community outreach.
Liz Otley
Senior Director of Product Management, LillyDirect/Eli Lilly | Indianapolis, IN
Liz Otley is the Senior Director of Product Management for LillyDirect at Eli Lilly, where she leads the development and launch of the company’s direct-to-consumer digital ecosystem designed to improve medication access for patients worldwide. Her work helps bring new digital tools to millions of patients and supports medication access. Liz is a founding member of the Columbus chapter of Women in Product where she advocates for more women in the product space.
Tracey Birkenhauer
Founder & CEO, STACK Cybersecurity | Livonia, MI
Tracey Birkenhauer is a cybersecurity entrepreneur who builds both technology solutions and opportunity pathways for others. At STACK Cybersecurity, she leads her growing company by focusing on helping organizations strengthen their digital security while developing the next generation of technical talent. Tracey is especially passionate about workforce development. She helped launch Michigan’s first Department of Labor–certified cybersecurity apprenticeship program, mentors students entering the field, and works to create career pathways for individuals who may not thrive in traditional workplaces. Colleagues describe her leadership as deeply community-driven, as she combines her technical expertise with a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Investors, Funders, and Startup Advocates
Diane Bouis
Acting CEO, MicroVascular Health Solutions / GlycoCheck | Ann Arbor, MI
Scientist turned MBA-trained entrepreneur, early-stage investor, and ecosystem builder, Diane Bouis brings a powerful combination of scientific depth and commercial acumen. As Acting CEO of MicroVascular Health Solutions, she leads the development and commercialization of technologies designed to measure and monitor microvascular health. Diane is a long-standing ecosystem builder in the Midwest life sciences community. Through her advisory firm BullsView Ventures, she has spent more than a decade mentoring founders, advising investors, and supporting emerging startups across the country. Her colleagues call her a “super-connector,” recognizing her work to help hundreds of entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors find opportunities to collaborate.
Dr. Cosima Boswell-Koller
Assistant Vice President for Integrated Venture Development, University of Alabama | Detroit, MI
Technology and innovation leader Dr. Cosima Boswell-Koller is involved in everything from advanced manufacturing to AI to venture development. She’s built a career translating complex research into real-world impact, including work supporting U.S. Navy aviation systems and leading collaborative R&D initiatives across industry and government. Today, she leads Integrated Venture Development at the University of Alabama, connecting university research with industry partnerships and startup creation. Her colleagues nominated her for her systems-level thinking and ability to build cross-sector coalitions to design the innovation ecosystems that bring emerging technologies to market.
Juliana Garaizar
Partner, Greenbackers Investment Capital | Houston, TX
Juliana Garaizar is a venture investor helping accelerate the global transition to climate and energy innovation. As a partner at Greenbackers Investment Capital, she works with early-stage companies building technologies that support renewable energy, decarbonization, and sustainable infrastructure. With experience spanning venture capital, startup development, and international markets, Juliana connects founders with the capital, partnerships, and expertise needed to scale climate solutions. She is also an active mentor and advocate for diverse founders, frequently supporting entrepreneurs working at the intersection of technology, energy, and sustainability.
Emma Off
Investment Manager, CincyTech | Cincinnati, OH
Emma Off is a venture investor focused on supporting early-stage technology and life sciences companies. As Investment Manager at CincyTech, she works with founders developing breakthrough innovations across healthcare, software, and advanced technologies, helping them secure capital and navigate the early stages of company growth. Her work plays an important role in strengthening the Midwest’s venture ecosystem and connecting promising startups with the resources they need to scale. Emma is deeply engaged in the regional startup community, regularly supporting founders and helping expand opportunities for emerging technology companies across Ohio and the broader Midwest.
Kristen Cooper
Founder & CEO, The Startup Ladies | Indianapolis, IN
Kristen Cooper is a startup ecosystem leader dedicated to helping women founders build and scale successful companies. As founder of The Startup Ladies, she has built one of the Midwest’s most active professional membership organizations for women founders, investors, and executives working together to grow scalable businesses. The organization delivers educational programs, founder accelerators, founder and investor events, and a growing eLearning platform designed to help women-owned startups strengthen their companies and prepare to access the capital needed to scale. Through her leadership, Kristen has helped thousands of founders build stronger companies while expanding pathways to capital and opportunity for women across the Midwest startup ecosystem and beyond.
Allison Spohn
Executive Director, Wisconsin Women in Technology | Milwaukee, WI
Allison Spohn is a technology advocate working to expand opportunities for women across the tech industry. As Executive Director of Wisconsin Women in Technology, she leads initiatives focused on education, mentorship, and career advancement for women pursuing roles in technology. Her work connects students, professionals, and employers through programs designed to strengthen the region’s technology workforce. Allison’s leadership helps create pathways into tech careers while supporting women already working in the industry, contributing to a stronger and more inclusive innovation ecosystem in Wisconsin and beyond.
Lisa M. Chambers
President & CEO, Tech Corps | Columbus, OH
Lisa Chambers is a technology education leader focused on building the future workforce. As President and CEO of TECH Corps, she leads a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science education and digital skills training for students and educators. Through programs that reach schools and communities across Ohio, TECH Corps helps prepare the next generation of technologists.
