Celebrating Women of Innovation:

Honoring Connecticut’s Leaders in STEM

At Untapped Potential, we know that when women rise, industries thrive. That’s why we are proud to support the upcoming Women of Innovation Awards, hosted by the Connecticut Tech Council. We are excited to support, Milena Erwin, Executive Director of Women of Innovation, our Partner for our 2025 Return-to-Work Industry-focused Series.

This annual celebration—now in its 20th year—recognizes extraordinary women who are shaping the future of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through innovation, leadership, and impact.

A Celebration of Talent and Tenacity

For two decades, the Women of Innovation (WOI) program has brought together the largest network of women in STEM across Connecticut. From academia to entrepreneurship, from corporate boardrooms to research labs, this event honors those who push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. This night to celebrate ingenuity and make visible the collective progress of women across industries really should be on TV, celebrated like the Oscars! If so, we would inspire the wealth of untapped ingenuity in girls - our next generation of women innovators.

As a social enterprise dedicated to advancing businesses and reigniting careers, Untapped Potential is thrilled to see women in STEM celebrated in this fashion. Our mission—to inspire educated, experienced women to pivot or return to their potential after caregiving—requires seeing these examples where women succeed in STEM highlighted by WOI. Many honorees are part of the Untapped Potential professional network who give back, lifting women up in their target STEM field and support women at various stages of their career journey.

Honoring Members of Our Community

Among the Innovators

Untapped Potential is especially proud to celebrate Barbara DeLoureiro, CEO & Founder of Vizionara LLC, among this year’s Women of Innovation® honorees. Barbara is a trusted Mentor, valued Client, and member of our Advisory Council. Through her leadership at Vizionara—a firm bridging technology and strategy while championing women in STEM—Barbara exemplifies what it means to lead with innovation and inclusion.

Within the Untapped Potential community, Barbara has led skillUP sessions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), designed for stay-at-home moms as well as working moms to gain efficiency in the "juggle". As a client partner, she has opened pathways for our Candidates, empowering women to re-engage in meaningful IT roles. Her recognition is a testament to her dedication to lifting others while advancing women in STEM.

We also extend a shout-out to nominees both in Academic Innovation and Leadership – Post-Secondary: Dr. Colleen Bielitz, Associate VP for Strategic Initiatives & Outreach at Southern Connecticut State University, who leads Connecticut's chapter of Million Women Mentors offering mentoring insights to our community and Dr. Tamilla Triantoro, Associate Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems at Quinnipiac University School of Business, who has hosted our Founder in Future of Work discussions. Their leadership demonstrates how education drives inclusion and prepares the next generation of female innovators. In the Entrepreneurial Category, we applaud Vanessa Sena, Founder and CEO of My Local Chefs (MLC) Nutrition, who in addition to her locally sourced food solutions, she leads the ElevateHER community Untapped Potential participates in to encourage connection for our community members in STEM fields such as manufacturing.

As we celebrate this year’s honorees, we also honor past Untapped Potential awardees:

• Nancy Miller, Director of Project Engineering at Triumph Group, an Untapped Potential Mentor and Client, won in the Corporate Category for her excellence in engineering leadership and mentorship.

• Candace Freedenberg, Founder of Untapped Potential, was recognized in the Entrepreneurial Category for creating a mission-driven enterprise that redefines diversity, fosters equity, and fuels the future of work through flexible, return-to-work solutions.

Lastly, we must highlight a nominee from the next generation! We are excited to see Community Member, Namakela Edwards' daughter, Namyanzi Edwards – High School Student, CREC Academy of Aerospace and Engineering, Windsor as a nominee!

These remarkable women—Barbara, Colleen, Tamilla, Vanessa, Nancy, Candace and Namyanzi—embody collaboration, resilience, and innovation. Their achievements remind us that when women champion one another, innovation accelerates and our collective impact expands.

The Power of Representation in STEM

Connecticut’s Women of Innovation Awards remind us that progress happens when we make space for women’s voices. As research from McKinsey & Company notes, organizations that champion gender diversity in leadership outperform those that don’t. Yet, women—particularly those balancing family and caregiving—remain underrepresented in STEM fields.

That’s why Untapped Potential’s work matters. Through programs like our Flexreturn™ Engagements, we create low-risk, high-reward pathways for companies to access mid-career professionals eager to re-engage. Many of our Candidates bring engineering, data, and analytical expertise shaped by both corporate experience and years of real-world problem-solving as caregivers. The Women of Innovation Awards shine a light on exactly this kind of potential—talent that is too valuable to overlook.

The Joy of Connection and Celebration

This year’s event will recognize the 2025 Class of Women of Innovation, celebrating excellence across eight categories—Academia, Community, Corporate, Entrepreneurship, and Research—and awarding Youth Scholarships that inspire the next generation of female innovators.

The evening begins with a lively networking reception, where CTC members, sponsors, partners, and honorees come together in a spirit of collaboration and celebration.

At Untapped Potential, we love events like this because they combine inspiration with action. For our Candidates, it’s a chance to see what’s possible—to meet women leading in STEM and imagine themselves in those roles. For our Mentors and Clients, it’s an opportunity to engage with Connecticut’s most forward-thinking organizations committed to gender equity and innovation.

Why This Matters for Returners and Employers Alike

Every woman honored at this event represents a ripple effect. Her success opens doors for others. When we celebrate innovation, we also celebrate inclusion. The Women of Innovation Awards reaffirm that diverse teams create better solutions, stronger companies, and healthier economies.

As employers face increasing competition for skilled talent, embracing flexible and inclusive hiring strategies—like Untapped Potential’s return-to-work programs—isn’t just good for business; it’s essential for innovation. These strategies bring back brilliant minds ready to contribute, adapt, and lead.

For women re-entering the workforce, this event offers something even more powerful: hope and validation. Seeing peers and mentors recognized for their achievements helps fuel confidence and belonging. It reminds every woman that her skills, experiences, and passions remain valuable—no matter the path she’s taken.

In Celebration

We’re passionate about technology, leadership, and innovation—we encourage you to connect with inspiring women and allies who value diversity in STEM—we'll be at the Women of Innovation Awards on October 28, 2025. to cheer these women on!

➡️Registration is open until 3 days prior: CT Tech Council – Women of Innovation

Come celebrate the trailblazers shaping the future—including Barbara DeLoureiro, Vanessa Sena, and all the inspiring nominees—and meet the mentors, role models, and peers who will inspire your own next step. Whether you’re preparing to return to work, exploring a new career in tech, or leading a team that believes in flexible work and inclusive growth, this event is for you.

Together, We Advance

At Untapped Potential, we believe innovation thrives when inclusion leads. We are honored to stand alongside the Connecticut Tech Council in celebrating the Women of Innovation who are redefining what leadership looks like in STEM.

Join us as we applaud their achievements, support their continued growth, and empower the next generation of women to rise. Because when women in STEM succeed, we all move forward.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Women of Innovation! Let’s celebrate, connect, and keep building a future where every woman’s potential is truly—Untapped.