💫 We're happy to announce the finalists for the Software Engineering Leader of the Year for 2025!
Software Engineering Leader of the Year Award, spotlighted across five focus areas that reflect the breadth of modern engineering leadership.
⚡️ Recognized contributions: Successful leadership of software engineering projects, innovative problem-solving and product development, fostering an inclusive and diverse team culture, and contributing to the growth of their organization.
1. Engineering Innovation & Product Impact
This group recognizes leaders who have driven major improvements in products and platforms through strong technical direction, delivery excellence, and cross-functional collaboration. They turn complex challenges into scalable, robust solutions that move their organizations forward.
⭐ Ashita Khetan – Principal Software Engineer, Microsoft
⭐ Pamela McRae – SVP Technology, Flow Hydration
⭐ Payal Godhani – Principal Member of Technical Staff, Oracle Corp
⭐ Pradnya Desai – Senior Technical Architect, Salesforce
⭐ Saumya Dixit – Senior Software Developer, 33Across.com
2. AI & Intelligent Automation Pioneers
These finalists are advancing AI, ML, and automation in real-world systems. They design intelligent solutions that enhance efficiency, reliability, and decision-making while prioritizing safety, governance, and long-term maintainability.
⭐ Aditi Gautam – Tech Lead, NVIDIA
⭐ Anna Kovalova – CEO, Anbosoft
⭐ Anusha Nerella – AI & Fintech Innovation Leader, Independent
⭐ Carol Dmello – Senior Staff Software Engineer, NVIDIA
⭐ Praneetha Kotla – Lead Robotic Process Automation Developer, ERP Smartlabs
3. Inclusive Leadership & Mentorship
This category celebrates leaders who elevate others through mentorship, community-building, and fostering inclusive engineering cultures. They blend technical expertise with a strong commitment to developing people and expanding access to opportunities.
⭐ Aparna Krishna Bhat – Senior Analyst, EY
⭐ Jessy Christadoss – Senior Quality Engineer, Integral Ad Science
⭐ Prashanthi Matam – Senior MLOps Engineer / Application Engineer, Discover Financial Services
⭐ Sucheta Gawade – Manager, Client Infrastructure Design, Steward Health Care
⭐ Twinkle Joshi – Senior QA Test Engineer, IQGeo Solutions Canada Inc.
4. Systems Modernization & Infrastructure
Finalists in this group drive large-scale systems modernization, migrations, and infrastructure transformations. They make critical platforms more scalable, maintainable, and resilient while coordinating across complex organizational environments.
⭐ Apeksha Jain – Principal Engineer, Arista Networks
⭐ Elavarasi Kesavan – Principal Full-Stack Architect, Cognizant
⭐ Jottymol John – Lead Developer, GE Vernova
⭐ Kateryna Babii – Senior Software Engineer, Eleks Inc.
⭐ Monalisha Singh – Lead Software Engineer, NetApp, Inc.
5. Business & Delivery Impact
This sub-category highlights leaders who connect technology to strategy and measurable outcomes. They deliver initiatives that enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and generate business value while upholding strong technical standards.
⭐ Abinaya Mettupatti Sivagnanam – Cloud Development Manager, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
⭐ Hina Gandhi – Software Engineering Technical Leader, Cisco
⭐ Lisajoy Marinello – Sr. Director of Customer Success, Microsoft Corporation
⭐ Madhushree Kumari – Staff Software Engineer, Visa Inc.
⭐ Stacey McArthur – Senior Software Engineering Manager, Scientific Games
Each of these leaders represents a vital expression of modern software engineering leadership. We are honored to celebrate their contributions and impact.
🥁 The winners will be announced on December 4 during the Women in Tech Global Awards 2025 ceremony.
🎫 Get your ticket to join the ceremony, get actionable insights from the keynotes, and celebrate the achievements of the outstanding women in tech.