Booking.com has announced the finalists of its 2020 Technology Playmaker Awards, which recognises and celebrates women who are transforming businesses, industries, and communities through technology and inspiring the next generation of female technology leaders.
This year’s finalists include a software developer leading a “coding caravan” that teaches programming to girls in Kyrgyzstan; the founder of an online educational platform that promotes financial inclusion among girls and women in Argentina; and an organisation that aims to coordinate the international technology community’s response to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people.
This year’s shortlist consists of 45 finalists across nine categories representing 20 countries, including Australia, Bolivia, Japan, India, Nigeria, the UAE, and the UK.
Collectively, their contributions range from technology innovations in MedTech and female health, renewal energy, fintech and digital payments, to creating opportunities for women technology entrepreneurs and women-impact startups, and elevating the discussion surrounding diversity and inclusion in technology to new levels.
“Each of this year’s finalists has demonstrated outstanding achievements in technology, whether through innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, business leadership and community impact, mentorship and inspiration for the next generation, or the pursuit of greater inclusivity. Whether from emerging economies or more established tech epicenters, these women technologists and advocates for diversity, are joined together by a remarkable talent and optimism for what the future of the tech sector will bring,” said Gillian Tans, chairwoman of Booking.com.
Winners will be chosen by an esteemed 14-member judging panel and thereafter be announced at an awards ceremony on March 26, 2020 in London.
