On October 2, 2024, the tech industry in New Zealand came together to honour outstanding wāhine at the annual Women in ICT Awards (WIICTA). This prestigious event, now in its eighth year, continues to set the benchmark for achievement across New Zealand's IT sector.

With over 330 attendees, WIICTA 2024 is the largest gathering in New Zealand dedicated to celebrating female excellence in the ICT industry. The event showcased the depth of talent, with 95 finalists selected from a pool of more than 170 nominations spanning partner, vendor, telco, and distributor businesses.

WIICTA celebrated women at all career stages, from promising graduates to seasoned CEOs. The awards highlighted innovative entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, technical experts, rising stars, high-performing individuals, and champions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives.

Two of our own wāhine were recognised at this year's awards:

Yujin Kim - Winner of the Rising Star Award

Yujin Kim emerged victorious in the Rising Star category, a testament to her exceptional talent and potential. The judges praised Yujin's remarkable developer skills and strong dedication to learning. Her work ethic, characterised by a growth mindset and constant pursuit of professional development, set her apart in this competitive category.

In an interview following her win, Yujin shared her surprise and gratitude: "I was blank because I didn't expect it at all. The moment was incredible." She reflected on her journey, saying, "Looking back to when I joined RUSH, I've grown up so much. It's full of appreciation that I was able to grow here."

Yujin attributes her success to the supportive environment at RUSH: "Everybody really encouraged me. If I want to learn some new skills, they care for me and find opportunities." She emphasised the importance of patience and persistence in the tech industry, advising other women considering a role in tech to "be patient and continue until you get there."

Sophie Tregonning - Technical Award Finalist

Sophie's nomination as a finalist in the Technical category recognises her excellence in engineering expertise and deep domain knowledge in technology products, solutions, and services.

Sophie described the experience as "an honour" and "a sense of accomplishment."

Sophie noted that events like WIICTA play a crucial role in providing networking opportunities for women in tech, increasing visibility of female talent, inspiring the next generation, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.

Challenges and Growth

Both Yujin and Sophie reflected on the challenges women face in the tech industry. Yujin mentioned the need to adapt to different communication styles in a traditionally male dominated role, while Sophie highlighted the importance of confidence. Importantly, both women emphasised that RUSH stands out for its inclusive culture. They noted the presence of numerous women engineers at the company, creating a balanced and supportive work environment.

Yujin expressed her hope to lead others in the future and "be able to encourage someone, as I received encouragement from others at RUSH." Meanwhile, Sophie shared her goal of pursuing further education in cybersecurity, aiming to combine her QA background with new skills in this growing field.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of WIICTA 2024, especially to our own Yujin Kim for her well-deserved win in the Rising Star category and Sophie Tregonning for being recognised as a finalist in the Technical category. Your achievements inspire us all and pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future in technology.

Read the full WIICTA 2024 coverage and announcement on Reseller News here.