2020 Women to Watch
Global Awards
Announcing our 2020 Women to Watch Global Awards List!
Who are the women disrupting, innovating and shaping the future of UAS? Who is making a difference in the UAS field and helping other women do the same thanks to smarts, energy and tenacity?
Meet these trailblazers, innovators, mentors, and business leaders, and prepare to be inspired!
Susan Minne
Public Safety
Cedar Park Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
USA
Why A Woman to Watch?
Minne serves as a volunteer and lead pilot for the Cedar Park, Texas office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. She responds to calls for sUAS assistance from police and fire units as well as assists in the administration of the citywide Public Safety sUAS training program.
“Public Safety flights have turned a passion into a life-changing mission.”
Raquel Molina
Entrepreneurship
Founder and CEO, Futuriste Tecnologia
Brazil
Why A Woman To Watch?
A pioneer in the Brazilian drone market, Raquel has grown her company, Futuriste Tecnologia into one of the largest drone training companies in Brazil. Raquel was Brazil’s first female drone instructor. She created the “Drone Without Barriers” program, which provides free training for physically disabled people to operate drones and also finds time to serve as a volunteer mentor in several projects to support female entrepreneurship.
“May this award be an example that with dedication we all can fly high!”
Kaye North
Education
Education Queensland
Australia
Why A Woman to Watch?
Kaye devotes time to inspiring students and fellow teachers by engaging them with drones. She shares with schools the value of drones within curriculum and provides professional development to teachers. Kaye also directs science students to design and code drones capable of delivering survival packages during disasters and creates opportunities for high school girls to develop drone pilot license programs.
“We are inspiring and empowering our girls by using drones in today’s classrooms”
Denise Soesilo
Leadership
Co-Founder, Outsight International
Switzerland
Why A Woman to Watch?
Denise has been at the forefront of the implementation of UAS for development and humanitarian aid. She is involved in cargo drone operations in Africa, coordinating between regulators, UTM providers and nine drone companies to enable their flying operations. Denise is also the lead facilitator between industry, donors and regulators for the progression of UAV technology.
“Inclusion and diversity are essential to our future with responsible technologies.”
About the Women to Watch Global Awards
Our 2020 Sponsors
How We Made Our Selections
During the nomination period, we received nominations from eleven countries. Individuals were permitted to nominate themselves or others. Three judges were assigned to each category. Judges were required to review and score the submissions based on their assigned category. The submission within each category with the highest score was named the honoree to represent the category.
In the submission review process the judges considered the following:
- Role Model: She sets an example for others, inspires others and empowers more women to enter the industry.
- Collaboration: She takes a collaborative approach in fostering relationships and opportunities to develop/deliver initiatives focused on advancing the use of drones. Collaborations could be internal or external projects, initiatives, programs, etc.
- Shaping the industry: She has positively helped shape the public perception of drones by promoting UAS best practices, promoting the value of UAS in her sector and/or advocating for UAS adoption.
- Driving Change: She has demonstrated the ability to influence change through advocacy, vision, and drive.
Meet Our Judges
Listed in alphabetical order by first name
Brooke Tapsall
Founder and CEO DroneAlert
CEO of AGICS
2018 Woman To Watch
Italy
Christopher Korody
Founder, Dronin’ On
USA
Dawn Zoldi
Founder & CEO
P3Tech Consulting
Women And Drones Advisor
2019 Woman to Watch
USA
Fiona Lake
Founder & Chief Remote Pilot
Rural Drone Academy
Executive Director at Fiona Lake Photography
2018 Woman to Watch
Australia
Heather Hasper
Senior Airport Operations and Planning Manager
2018 Woman to Watch Honoree
USA
Helena Samsioe
CEO & Founder, GLOBHE
2017 Woman to Watch
Sweden
Jennifer Pidgen
COO, Sundance Media Group
UAS book author
USA
Kimberly Penn
Founder & President, Professor Drones
Founder & President, Webtropolis
USA
Maria Cugini
Vice President
FoxFury Lighting Solutions
USA
Meghan Salter
National Board Certified Teacher
FAA Certified Drone Pilot
Women And Drones Advisor
2019 Woman to Watch
USA
Nikki Brown
Director Law Enforcement Academy
FAA Certified Remote Pilot
W&D Public Safety Advisor
USA
Probyn Thompson
Founder and CEO
Air Probe UAV
Women And Drones Advisor
USA
Sharon Rossmark
Founder and CEO
Women And Drones LLC
Sharon Rossmark is an American entrepreneur, author, mentor and FAA certified remote pilot. She has an extensive and diverse background in business and nonprofit board governance. Sharon is the Founder and CEO of Women And Drones, the premier global platform for women who are disrupting, innovating and shaping the future of the UAS industry. She is the co-author of several books introducing young children to drones. Most of the characters in the books are girls which is a purposeful, important part of her commitment to engaging more girls in STEM, STEAM and aviation. Sharon is a frequently requested speaker, panelist and moderator.
Become a sponsor for our 2021 Women To Watch Initiative!
Reach a global audience of women in the UAS industry. Position your UAS brand as one that welcomes and supports women.
Women And Drones is the leading membership organization dedicated to driving excellence in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industry by advocating for female participation in the opportunities of this dynamic segment of the global economy. We partner with companies committed to an inclusive culture where women can thrive. In efforts to support the growing market for talent, our educational programs start with girls in kindergarten and carry on through career. Women and Drones also provides Drone Flight Services, including aerial imagery and drone product beta testing.