INNOVATE HER · STORIES THAT INSPIRE 2026

Innovator of the Year

A global campaign celebrating women whose ideas, leadership, and impact are shaping the future — across business, science, technology, healthcare, sustainability, education, and social change.

NOMINATIONS OPEN · CLASS OF 2026

Share your innovation story for 2026

Innovation isn't only about technology — it's about courage, creativity, resilience, and purpose. Nominate yourself or a woman whose work is driving meaningful change. Selected stories will be featured throughout the campaign and considered for the Woman Innovator of the Year 2026 Award, announced at VOWI's Year-End Innovation Celebration in December 2026.

Why participate?

  • Be featured across VOWI's global channels
  • Join a worldwide community of women innovators
  • Compete for the Innovator of the Year 2026 Award
  • Inspire the next generation of change makers

HOW IT WORKS

The Journey to Innovator of the Year

01

Campaign Launch

June 2026

Innovate Her opens for nominations across VOWI's global community.

02

Story Collection

July – August 2026

We gather stories, supporting materials, and interviews from women innovators worldwide.

03

Shortlist of 20

September 2026

The VOWI Core Committee selects 20 outstanding stories to feature across the campaign.

04

Top 10 Finalists

October 2026

An independent jury evaluates the 20 and selects the Top 10 Finalists.

05

Change Maker Showcase

November 2026

Finalists present their innovation journeys at the VOWI Year-End Meeting.

06

Award Announcement

December 2026

The Woman Innovator of the Year 2026 is revealed at the Innovation Celebration.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

What We're Looking For

Stories are evaluated on four dimensions — from originality to alignment with the VOWI mission.

30%

Innovation & Originality

How unique, creative, and forward-thinking is the initiative? Does it introduce new methods, perspectives, or opportunities?

30%

Impact & Significance

What measurable change has been created? Does it address a meaningful challenge with potential for long-term positive impact?

20%

Leadership & Influence

Has the innovator inspired others, built collaboration, and served as a role model within her field or community?

20%

Alignment with VOWI Values

Does the work support inclusion, diversity, and empowerment — creating opportunities for women and underrepresented groups?

INNOVATE HER · CLASS OF 2025

2025 Innovators

Ao Kong WINNER 2025

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR 2025

Ao Kong

Innovation as Becoming: A purposeful journey to bridge worlds that seldom meet.

All Participants

Hope Khoury

Hope Khoury

COO, Go Vertical ICM

My innovation story began not in a lab, but in an operating room.

Coming soon
Isabela Tatu

Isabela Tatu

Some stories don’t begin with ideas — they begin with belief.

Coming soon
Rene Canady

Rene Canady

Encountering these disparities in her own family and learning how bioengineering work.

Coming soon
Wanda Eugene

Wanda Eugene

Innovation Story: KidzHack’s VIBES Platform

Coming soon
Stephanie Ringenbach

Stephanie Ringenbach

Be Bold Barcelona was created to close a clear gap in the tech ecosystem.

Coming soon
Laura Coello Sánchez

Laura Coello Sánchez

My innovation story began with a simple question: How can we design and resolve problems like nature?

Coming soon
Elizabeth Garcia Braga-Niehaus

Elizabeth Garcia Braga-Niehaus

She decided to enter the profit sector with a clear social mission — to digitize and empower the nonprofit world through technology and innovation.

Coming soon
Sara Staelfeldt

Sara Staelfeldt

She did not simply promote creative thinking; she established the intentional structure and governance required to make innovation.

Coming soon
Jona Doda

Jona Doda

My goal was simple but deeply personal. To make mental health support accessible to people who feel unseen in traditional systems.

Coming soon
Roma Shah

Roma Shah

What if the very women who help others build wealth could not reliably build their own?

Coming soon
Erica D'Acunto

Erica D'Acunto

Innovation Story: Intelligent Vehicle Assignment for the Electric Fleet Transition

Coming soon
Sara Quintero

Sara Quintero

I opened my first brick-and-mortar boutique, an upscale women’s consignment store built on community and connection.

Coming soon
Zubenma V Obiegue

Zubenma V Obiegue

Founder of Detechtico. Detechtico is an advanced AI forensic software that automates the fraud detection process.

Coming soon
Clara Ricaurte

Clara Ricaurte

I help turn disconnected institutions into collaborative networks with shared objectives.

Coming soon

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Every story moves us forward.

Nominate yourself or a woman whose innovation deserves a global stage.

Become a VOWI Member

Complete the form below to receive your official VOWI Membership Certificate and badge.

No Choosen File
Woman innovator

Share your story. Inspire others. Lead the change.

We're spotlighting women innovators
who turn ideas into impact.

Deadline to submit
Aug 15, 2026
Stories featured
Oct – Nov 2026
Open to women
Worldwide
Become a member, complete the form,
and share your innovation story.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

  • Get featured on
    VOWI platforms
  • Gain global
    visibility
  • Earn community
    recognition
  • Inspire future
    innovators

Woman Innovator of the Year 2026

If you are nominating another woman, fill out the form for the other woman