CompTIA Announces Spotlight Awards for Four Women in Tech

CompTIA has recognized four women in technology with its Spotlight Award for their excellence in leadership and mentorship and willingness to take on new challenges.

The award honors individuals from CompTIA Corporate Member organizations who have shown a commitment to diversity, leadership, mentoring and service.

This year’s winners are:

Caitlyn McCaughran, global events manager, Auvik Networks
Hannah O’Donnell, director of sales, Collabrance
Deborah Kestin-Schildkraut, global blockchain ecosystem marketing leader, IBM
Susanne Tedrick, cloud platform technical specialist, IBM

“Each year the nomination and selection process reminds us that there are many people from our member companies who display their caring, compassion and dedication daily; not for the accolades, but because of their commitment to building a stronger industry with opportunities for everyone,” said Nancy Hammervik, executive vice president for industry relations at CompTIA. “In a year unlike any other, and at a time when every bit of good news gives us hope for better days ahead, our 2020 Spotlight Award Winners exemplify the technology industry’s best and brightest.”

In a press release, CompTIA explains why each woman received the award:

Caitlyn McCaughran was selected as winner of the Future Leader Award. A member of the Auvik Networks team since 2017, McCaughran focuses on forming meaningful relationships with other channel vendors. She has a passion for event management, demonstrated by her global travels to lead Auvik’s channel events and connect with industry peers and partners.

Hannah O’Donnell is this year’s recipient of the ChannelChanger Award. At Collabrance, she is responsible for building the company’s sales strategy. O’Donnell also provides business planning, education, training, and sales assistance to managed services providers, whether they are established MSPs or up and coming market entrants looking to grow their business.

The Woman in Technology Leadership Award winner is Deborah Kestin-Schildkraut of IBM. Known as a change agent and problem solver, Kestin-Schildkraut is an experienced channel marketer with a proven track record, successfully building strategic channel relationships and global initiatives. She became the IBM blockchain ecosystem marketing leader to establish the business partner route to market and blockchain-for-good initiatives.

Susanne Tedrick, also of IBM, is the winner of the Diversity in Technology Leadership Award. Tedrick, a cloud computing technical specialist, is the author of Women of Color in Tech: A Blueprint for Inspiring and Mentoring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators. She is fiercely committed to community service and increasing participation of women and people of color in STEM professional opportunities.