Nominations now open for 2019 Women in Biometrics Awards

Nominations for the 2019 Women in Biometrics Awards are now open for nominees exemplifying outstanding contributions to the industry in leadership, participation, innovation, and mentoring. The awards recognize the top female leaders in the biometric identity and security industry, and winners will be recognized at the 2019 SIA GovSummit, June 26 and 27 in Washington, D.C.

The awards are co-founded by the Security Industry Association (SIA) and SecureIDNews, and co-presented by sponsors IDEMIA and SIA’s Women in Security Forum. Biometric Update has also joined the initiative as a co-sponsor.

“Addressing the opportunities and challenges presented by biometric technology requires real breadth of perspective, and the industry needs to improve its diversity to fully leverage the talent available,” says Biometrics Research Group, Inc. Managing Director and Co-founder Stephen Mayhew. “We are proud to add our voice to this important recognition of the women whose efforts have been the most impactful in our industry over the past year.”

Previous recipients of Women in Biometrics Awards will be featured among a panel of experts on government security applications for advanced biometric technologies.

“Biometric technologies – which play a key role in securing today’s physical and digital identities – are integral to the security industry and other areas like health care, law enforcement and air travel,” comments SIA CEO Don Erickson. “Women in Biometrics Awards winners are innovative women helping create a more secure world through these technologies, and SIA looks forward to welcoming the next class of awardees to this elite group.”

Nominees and past winners include representatives of biometric companies, peripheral suppliers, system integrators, academia, government, and security and IT departments for various organizations.

“Now in its fifth year, the Women in Biometrics Awards have grown to become an internationally-recognized program,” says Chris Corum, Publisher of SecureIDNews and Women in Biometrics Awards founder. “Biometrics is an increasingly important component of modern identity and security programs, and female leaders continue to pave the way forward.

“As a presenter of the Women in Biometrics Awards, I am extremely pleased to have the endorsement and participation of Biometric Update, one of the industry’s leading publications,” adds Corum. “Their global reach is tremendous, and it will help bring an even greater level of attention to this important program.”

Last year’s winners were DHS OBIM Director of the Identity Capabilities Management Division Lisa MacDonald, NEC Senior Account Manager Kelly Gallagher, CBP Executive Director Colleen Manaher, I-3 Senior Biometric Examiner Lora Sims, and Gemalto Cogent Director of Biometric Technology R&D Anne Wang.

“The Women in Biometrics Awards have inspired a conversation about female leadership and the strength of diversity in the biometrics industry. The award, which is celebrating its fifth year, is providing more evidence of the significant professional and academic contributions women are making in the biometric technology fields,” notes Teresa Wu, vice president, strategic marketing and product management for North America at IDEMIA, who received the award in 2016. “Recognizing the accomplishments of female leaders motivates the next generation of women in technology.”

Nominations are open until June 1. Nomination information is available at womeninbiometrics.com.

Article Topics

awards  |  biometrics  |  IDEMIA  |  Security Industry Association (SIA)  |  Women in Biometrics