We are thrilled to recognize the remarkable talent acquisition leaders who demonstrate resilience and dedication as they navigate the challenges presented by the dynamic landscape of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in the ever-evolving tech industry. Their leadership has played a pivotal role in cultivating a workplace culture that celebrates differences and ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
About
Women Impact Tech has identified the most remarkable talent acquisition leaders who are driving forces in reshaping the landscape of tech careers by consistently championing initiatives that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
In a field where the importance of diversity and inclusion cannot be overstated, these professionals serve as prime examples of how the world can advance gender equity and build a more inclusive tech industry.
Criteria Selection
Our distinguished panel of judges comprised of seasoned professionals from various sectors within the technical field, offering a wide range of expertise and experiences.
Each judge meticulously assessed the professional accomplishments and leadership qualities of the nominees. They were invited to evaluate the entries using our comprehensive criteria through an online judging system.
Meet the 2025 Talent Acquisition Leader Honorees
The Top Women of Impact are at the forefront of empowering the next generation of women in the tech industry to flourish.
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Alexa Williams
(She/Her)
Senior Talent Brand Marketing Manager
North Carolina
As the Senior Talent Brand Marketing Manager at Atlassian, Alexa is deeply committed to advancing the company’s DEI initiatives through three key strategies:
Amplifying Voices through Storytelling: Alexa has created a platform to elevate the voices of underrepresented groups within Atlassian by sharing their stories, ensuring they are heard and celebrated.
Fostering Growth through Development Opportunities: Alexa actively organizes development opportunities, such as speaking engagements, that empower individuals from diverse backgrounds. These initiatives contribute to their personal and professional growth and inspire others to pursue similar paths.
Strengthening DEI Efforts through Strategic Partnerships: Through building strategic partnerships with DEI-focused organizations, Alexa has expanded Atlassian’s network, reinforced the company’s commitment to inclusivity, supported DEI hiring goals, and gained valuable insights.
Dayana Falcon
(She/Her)
Senior Manager, Career Infrastructure and Engagement
Los Angeles
At The Walt Disney Company, Dayana is shaping the next generation of HR Career Development experiences by democratizing and producing equal access to opportunity for all employees in the organization. In addition, she has served as the Strategy Lead for Women@Disney Leadership Team.
Julia Glancy
Diversity Talent Acquisition Manager & Chief of Staff
New York
Julia is a Diversity Talent Acquisition Manager & Chief of Staff at PwC. She is committed to crafting new diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and best practices in talent acquisition and beyond.
Laura Datzman
(She/Her)
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition & DEI
Chicago
Laura Datzman, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition and DEI at Reverb has spearheaded various initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company. She has been instrumental in implementing a structured, competency-based interviewing process designed to mitigate bias and ensure a fair hiring experience for all candidates.
Laura also designed and rolled out mandatory diversity training for interviewers, hiring managers, and recruiting team members. This comprehensive training covers topics such as the importance of executing a fair and consistent hiring process, strategies to reduce bias, frameworks for evaluating candidate responses, and guidance on providing inclusive and appropriate feedback.
Laura has also worked closely with her team and embedded effective strategies and tools into Reverb’s talent-sourcing process. These efforts focus on supporting recruiters in diversity sourcing and intentionally cultivating talent pools that include underrepresented communities, which aligns with Reverb’s DEI goals.
Matt Maliszewski
Supervisor Talent Acquisition - Global Technology Risk Management
Chicago
Matt is an award-winning professional with cross-functional experience in a variety of industries. He is accomplished in recruitment, sales, marketing, operations, critical analysis, account management, and product presentations. He has a proven track record of surpassing expectations, delivering exceptional client service, and developing business and profitability. He is an innovative, analytical, driven, and collaborative team player who motivates colleagues and achieves positive results.
Nia C. Smith
(She/Her)
Director Talent Management & DEI Leader
Atlanta
Nia Smith, Director of Talent Management and DEI Leader at Salesforce recognizes that women and underrepresented minorities are often over-mentored but under-sponsored. As a result, Nia developed the “Connections Builder” program, an internal retention and employee engagement initiative that pairs junior-level employees with senior-level leaders whom they would not typically have access to. The program, which includes a 7-week mentorship rotation, has successfully increased employee engagement, mentorship, and sponsorship among historically marginalized employees.
In her role as an internal coach, Nia has provided valuable guidance to numerous employees, predominantly from underrepresented minority communities. Her coaching has led to improved retention, higher engagement, and several success stories, including promotions, for those she has mentored.
Nia is also a trusted advisor to executive leaders and business partners, collaborating to design and refine talent systems and processes that integrate inclusion and equity throughout the talent life cycle. Additionally, she is a consultant advisor to the program manager leading Salesforce’s Office of Equality development programs, including initiatives focused on leadership development for women and underrepresented minorities.
She was a founding co-creator of the internal Women in Tech Summit for the CIO organization, where she facilitated sessions on branding and networking. Furthermore, Nia serves as an Equality Business Partner to Salesforce’s CIO, CFO, CMO, CLO, and CPO, helping drive inclusive strategies that advance representation, improve employee retention, and achieve the company’s ESG goals.
Roberto Bonito
Talent Supply Chain for LATAM & Talent Acquisition Director for USA
New York
At Wipro, Roberto consciously makes space for women in technology in the USA & LATAM. His devotion to diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring starts at the top with him and makes waves throughout the organization.
Rebecca Ramos
(She/Her)
Chief People Officer
Milwaukee
Rebecca Ramos is a strategic and forward-thinking Chief People Officer at Caresyntax with a talent for creating a culture of trust and open communication. She is passionate about fostering a people-first culture that prioritizes integrity, open communication, and continuous growth.
Rebecca works tirelessly to elevate the role and perception of women both in her organization and beyond. She supports women to be decisive, daring, ambitious, and persistent all while striving to grow into leadership within their organizations.
Shareem Annan
(She/Her)
Director, DEI Strategic Partnerships
Virginia
With over 15 years of HR experience across various industries, Shareem Annan is the Director of DEI Strategic Partnerships at Elevance Health. She excels in tackling organizational challenges and building diverse, empowered workforces. Shareem’s expertise includes strategic workforce planning, talent acquisition, and organizational development. She is passionate about Diversity and Inclusion, having contributed to a Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit and serving as the Diversity and Inclusion Director on the Dulles SHRM chapter.
Tracy Pointer
(She/Her)
Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Atlanta
Having spent over 34 years at UPS, Tracy Pointer serves as the Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, where she is deeply engaged in developing and overseeing programs and strategies to attract and retain talent for a global organization. With over 20 years of field experience in Human Resources, Tracy is also a passionate D&I Ambassador, leading the African American Business Resource Group to foster an inclusive workplace.
Beyond her corporate role, she founded GROW: Golfers Recognizing Opportunities for Women Incorporated, a nonprofit that empowers Black women to play golf for business purposes, promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport.
Amber Allred
(She/Her)
VP, People
San Francisco
Amber Allred is the Vice President of People at Rondo Energy, where she focuses on fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace through several key initiatives:
Encouraging Open Communication and Feedback: Amber takes the initiative to meet with every new employee, fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. This approach ensures that all voices are heard and valued.
Prioritizing Partnerships with Diverse Professional Organizations: Amber has actively partnered with organizations that support underrepresented groups across various industries, such as Women Impact Tech. These partnerships help promote job opportunities and build strong relationships with potential candidates.
Championing Neurodiversity: As the proud mother of an autistic son, Amber is passionate about advocating for neurodiversity. She has ensured that employees and candidates have easy access to necessary accommodations, recognizing the immense value that neurodiverse perspectives and skills bring to the organization.
Emma Hollister
(She/Her)
Global Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Chicago
Emma Hollister, the Global Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Rocket Travel by Agoda, has made significant strides in advancing DEIB within the workplace through various impactful initiatives.
One of Emma’s key contributions has been her partnership with ChickTech, where she has played a crucial role in mentoring and supporting underrepresented women and youth eager to break into the tech industry.
In addition, Emma has been instrumental in creating and supporting the RTA Tech Ladies ERG. She took the lead in building a compelling case to secure budget approval for this brand-new initiative, which focuses on providing workshops and resources to empower women within Rocket Travel by Agoda. Her efforts have helped create a supportive community for women in the organization.
Moreover, Emma has strongly advocated addressing unconscious bias in the hiring process. She has actively participated in panel discussions to educate teams on the impacts of unconscious bias and share strategies to overcome it, furthering the company’s commitment to fair and equitable hiring practices.
Justin Patterson
HR Strategic Advisor - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity
Memphis
Justin Patterson is an HR Strategic Advisor in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at FedEx Services. With a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, Justin completed the P2L (Professional to Leader) cohort two years ago, where he gained valuable leadership skills, collaborated with colleagues across FedEx, and expanded his expertise. Recently, Justin was honored with the Federal Express Corporation Five Star Award, the company’s most prestigious accolade, recognizing his exceptional performance and outstanding contributions to FedEx Services.
Laura Reed
(She/Her)
Senior Recruiter
California
At Autodesk, Laura has proven success in diverse settings. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate, she emphasizes inclusive hiring, career development, and business consulting. She is also an active collaborator at Autodesk Women’s ERG and Pride ERGs.
Michael Russo
(He/Him)
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
Massachusetts
Michael Russo has been a driving force in advancing DEI as a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Dassault Systèmes. His dedication is evident through his active role as an evangelist for diversity events within the company, where he emphasizes the importance of these initiatives in fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
One of Michael’s significant contributions is the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Statement that Dassault Systèmes adopted as a guiding philosophy. This statement underscores the company’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all employees, regardless of their background.
In addition, Michael co-founded and co-leads the Americas Pride group, an employee resource group dedicated to creating a safe and supportive space where individuals can freely share their experiences and perspectives.
Michael’s commitment extends beyond his own community as an LGBTQ+ advocate. He is dedicated to being an ally for all underrepresented groups, advocating for their inclusion and support within the workplace. His work reflects a deep commitment to creating a diverse and equitable environment where everyone can thrive.
Olga Zhornitsky
(She/Her)
Senior Principal - Communication and Engagement
Illinois
Olga Zhornitsky, Senior Principal, Communication and Engagement at Discover Financial Services, established and now manages the Discover External Eminence Program, an initiative designed to enhance the external visibility and credibility of the company and its employees. By spotlighting Discover’s people and culture, the program helps attract diverse talent to the organization.
In collaboration with the Business Technology DEI Committee and the internal Women in Tech ERG, Olga has created opportunities for female technologists to attend and speak at external conferences. These events provide a platform for diverse employees to upskill and further their career growth, contributing to a more inclusive and empowered workforce.
Olga has also partnered with the talent acquisition and employer branding teams to build awareness of Discover’s tech roles. By engaging with diverse talent at conferences and hosting or sponsoring DEI events, she has generated diverse talent leads and promoted Discover Financial Services as an inclusive and appealing workplace.
Samantha Pfeiffer
(She/Her)
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner
Delaware
Samantha Pfeiffer, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at LiveRamp, has pioneered targeted recruitment strategies and formed key partnerships that significantly expanded the pipeline of diverse candidates at LiveRamp. Her initiatives led to a 30% increase in DEI hires within the Sales Organization for the fiscal year 2024.
In addition to her recruitment achievements, Samantha plays a vital role on the board of the Women@ ERG. Through this position, she drives initiatives that empower women in the workplace and foster a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
Samantha consistently exceeds recruitment targets, maintaining a 100% acceptance rate and an average time to fill of 40 days. Her performance highlights her commitment to building a more inclusive workforce by prioritizing diversity in all aspects of talent acquisition.
Sheri Ryan
Vice President, Talent Acquisition
New York
Sheri Ryan, the Vice President of Talent Acquisition, drives Presidio’s global mission to accelerate digital transformation. She leverages over 25 years of experience in Human Resources and is dedicated to building a workforce that mirrors the diverse, global customer base Presidio serves while fostering an inclusive workplace that addresses the unique needs of all employees. By promoting equity and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive, Sheri ensures that Presidio’s talent strategies support its innovation and growth objectives.
Yolanda Lindsay
(She/Her)
Global Diversity & Inclusion - Women’s Executive Development Program Manager
Charlotte
With a 20+ year record of leading teams, growing talent, and executing strategic programs across various industries and community outreach groups, Yolanda Lindsay, Senior Vice President and Diversity & Inclusion Leader at Bank of America embodies a commitment to excellence while caring for people. Known for her innovative and energized approach, she leads the Women’s Executive Development Program, dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that aligns with the company’s mission to serve its employees, clients, and communities.
Amy Young
(She/Her)
Director, Executive Search/Talent Advisory
Atlanta
Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Google, Amy leads recruiting efforts for Knowledge & Information (Consumer), Research, and Tech & Society Executive Search Practice, including 30+ recruitment and research teams focused on attracting the most senior talent across Research, GenAI, engineering, product, UX, Trust, and Strategy & Operations.
Ilona Sheynkman
(She/Her)
Manager, Global Leadership Recruitment
Chicago
Ilona Sheynkman, Manager of Global Leadership Recruitment at Adyen, has played a pivotal role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within her organization. She has designed and implemented equitable interview processes that significantly reduced bias, leading to a noticeable increase in hiring women across Adyen. Her efforts have created a more inclusive and fair recruitment process, impacting the company’s talent acquisition strategies.
In addition to her recruitment work, Ilona has been a key leader in Adyen’s Women ERG in North America. Under her leadership, the ERG has fostered an inclusive environment through various community-building initiatives and professional development workshops, covering important topics such as financial literacy, communication in the workplace, and understanding how the menstruation cycle can impact productivity.
Beyond her direct contributions, Ilona has also dedicated time to mentoring both internal and external talent to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment. By sharing her knowledge and empowering others to implement DEI best practices, she has influenced a broader change within the industry, helping others to make strides in creating more inclusive workplaces.
Karen Berlin
(She/Her)
Senior Director, Talent Acquisition
New York
Karen is a trusted advisor and partner to senior leadership, focused on developing strategies that align with immediate and future talent needs. She leads and mentors a team of experienced talent acquisition specialists, guiding them in attracting and hiring top talent. Collaborating across Capgemini, Karen plays a key role in defining and building exciting talent attraction programs. She is dedicated to creating a standout candidate experience, ensuring that Capgemini is recognized as an amazing place to work. Leveraging data-driven insights, Karen supports and aligns recruitment efforts with the company’s diversity and inclusion goals for 2021 and beyond.
Laura Alfano Victoria
(She/Her)
VP, Global Talent Acquisition
Canada
Laura Alfano Victoria is a strategic and results-driven Human Resources professional known for her ability to build mutually beneficial relationships, motivate teams, and influence stakeholders. She excels at managing multiple initiatives in a timely and cost-effective manner. A natural problem solver, Laura works well independently while being a highly collaborative and motivated team player. She is committed to continuous professional and personal development in dynamic and challenging environments. Her areas of expertise include Talent Acquisition, Policy and Process Design, Project Management, and Vendor Management.
Molly Gregware
(She/Her)
Director, Early Career Recruiting & Programs Leader
San Francisco
Molly Gregware, the Director of Early Career Recruiting and Programs Leader at BILL, has significantly contributed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within her company. One of her notable achievements is the launch of the BILL Adelante program, which provides software engineering internship opportunities to underrepresented high school students to foster early exposure and development in STEM fields, paving the way for a more diverse future workforce.
As co-lead of the BILL’d Women Up ERG, Molly has been instrumental in driving programs that empower women at BILL. She has spearheaded initiatives focused on skill-building, learning programs, and networking events, enhancing engagement and growth for women within the organization.
Molly has also led several key diversity recruiting initiatives, including developing an ERG Ambassador program and an accommodative interview process. Her strategic engagement with external diversity partners has been crucial in creating a more representative hiring pipeline and ensuring a commitment to diverse recruitment practices.
Reginald Stewart
(He/Him)
Director - HR Business Partner
Washington DC
Reginald, a diverse male leader, advocates for underrepresented candidates. He utilizes his position to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through performance objectives by recruiting candidates from diverse backgrounds and ensuring that diverse talent is considered in succession planning. Reginald also personally mentors individuals of a different race or gender than himself.
Sarah Green
(She/Her)
Senior Program Manager
Philadelphia
Sarah Green, Senior Program Manager at Peloton Interactive, actively seeks out and amplifies diverse team members’ voices and perspectives, sharing their stories across Peloton’s channels to highlight and celebrate their contributions.
In addition to elevating internal voices, Sarah supports and promotes diverse vendors who enhance Peloton’s recruiting efforts. By partnering with these vendors, she helps enrich the company’s recruiting practices and foster a more inclusive hiring process.
Sarah is also committed to ensuring diverse representation in Peloton’s candidate pools. She engages with professional networks that support underrepresented communities, working to attract and include a wide range of candidates in the recruitment process.
Tien Van
(He/Him)
Talent Acquisition Specialist
California
At Ouster, Tien is committed to hiring more women on this technical staff. Every day, Tien refines processes, meets with senior business leaders, and ensures opportunities for diverse talent.
Aruna Sankaran
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Alpharetta
Aruna is a Talent Acquisition Specialist with extensive experience in both agency and corporate settings, passionately dedicated to aligning a company’s culture and business objectives with the right talent. She excels in full lifecycle recruiting, leveraging her deep understanding of various business models to effectively communicate with clients, hiring managers, and executive teams. Aruna is adept at sourcing candidates through diverse channels, including cold calls, job boards, networking events, and referrals. Her strong candidate management skills ensure a smooth hiring process, from interviews to offer negotiations, including employment verification, background checks, and immigration processing. Aruna’s expertise spans multiple industries, including IT, Healthcare, Retail, Finance, and more.