2019 Women to
Watch in UAS
Meet the women shaping the UAS Industry
Announcing our 2019 Women to Watch in UAS List!
These women represent the business leaders, innovators, mentors and visionaries making an impact on the drone industry. With purpose and passion, they are contributing to the future of UAS enterprise, while paving the way for other women to follow.
Meghan Salter
EDUCATION
Martha Elementary School
USA
“I hope to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders. I want to show my students that they can break the cycle of poverty through education. I aspire to be a fearless and confident role model to my students and expose them to technology at a young age”
Why A Woman To Watch?
Meghan is a West Virginia public school teacher and Certified Remote Pilot. She has been incorporating drone technology into her curriculum for the past 4 years.
Hitomi Uematsu
ENTREPRENEURIAL
SkyMagic
Singapore
“We are establishing the drone show regulation with each country’s civil aviation. We plan to set the standard for drone shows around the world.”
Why A Woman To Watch?
With a vision of making the sky a new communication platform, Hitomi co-founded SKYMAGIC, a drone swarming technology company. SKYMAGIC has become one of the world’s leading performance drone companies, most recently entertaining more than a million spectators at the Zurich Festival in Switerland.
Amrita Lal
HUMANITARIAN
Flying Labs
Fiji
“I have worked with the Fiji Red Cross for post disaster risk assessment and response operations. Currently, I am working with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation in preparing quick and effective reporting methods with the use of UAS for rural and remote communities.”
Why A Woman To Watch?
As the Regional Coordinator at the South Pacific Flying Labs, an initiative which includes an alliance between WeRobotics, the University of the South Pacific and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Amrita works as a UAV pilot with CASA Certified RePL for operating multirotor and fixed wing drones.
Evangeline Corcoran
INNOVATION
Queensland University of Technology
Australia
“Growing up I was always curious about the natural world, but felt I lacked role models I could identify with in STEM careers. Ideally I would like to be that role model for some little girl out there who’s excited about science.”
Why A Woman To Watch?
As a Quantitative Ecologist, Evangeline’s research revolves around the development of new detection and population modelling techniques for wildlife using a combination of drones, thermal imaging and machine learning. She has tested and refined these new techniques for monitoring threatened koala populations and recently published the findings in Scientific Reports, a Nature publication.
Dawn Zoldi
LEADERSHIP
U.S. Air Force Academy Business Matters
USA
“My advice for women considering a career in the UAS industry: 1. Build your competence: increase your knowledge in the field in every way possible 2. Be an influencer: put yourself out there, get involved (lead, publish, speak, write – you have something to say!) 3. Grow (and love) your network: in life, and in career, real relationships are key. As you succeed, pay it forward and pull others along for the ride!”
Why A Woman To Watch?
Dawn has consistently led from the front on the toughest policy and legal issues involving the employment of UAS in the U.S. She currently serves as Associate General Counsel, Business Matters Attorney for the United States Air Force Academy, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of the General Counsel.
About the Women to Watch in UAS List
The award is designed to acknowledge and celebrate women who are driving change with their use, advocacy or regulation of UAS technology. By recognizing the achievements of a few, we hope to motivate many in our mission to move the drone industry closer to gender parity.
Platinum Sponsor
Host Sponsor
Our 2019 Sponsors
If you would like to receive sponsorship or information about the awards ceremony contact: Hello@WomenAndDrones.com
Meet Our Judges
Brooke Tapall
CEO DroneALERT
Estonia & Australia
Brooke Tapsall has been a professional in the spatial science industry for 17 years, working around the world before establishing companies and initiatives which provide valuable services to the Drone Industry. She is VEO of DroneALERT – an online rapid drone reporting platform and of AGICS – a drone service and consultancy provider.
Christopher Korody
Founder, Dronin’ On
USA
Christopher Korody is a 46-year marketing veteran with deep experience in the technology, aerospace and automotive sectors. He launched DroneBusiness.center to provide UAS companies with the research, strategy and communication programs necessary to stand out in this crowded marketplace.
Cynthia Huang
Director Business Development, DJI
USA
Cynthia Huang is an experienced international business leader dedicated to all aspects of emerging tech and the development of solutions for the future. Her experience spans operations, corporate venture capital, M&A, joint venture formation, business development and marketing.
Helena Samsioe
CEO & Founder, GLOBHE
Sweden
Helena Samsioe is the CEO and Founder of GLOBHE, a startup on a mission to create a better future with drones. In 2017 Helena was ranked among the top 100 young business leaders in Sweden, won “Female Founder of the Year” by Di Digital, named among the “Top Women to Watch in the Drone Industry” by Women And Drones.
Jennifer Pidgen
COO, Sundance Media Group
USA
As COO of Sundance Media Group (SMG), Jennifer is dedicated to developing sUAS/UAV training programs, overall logistics, and operations for SMG. Co-author of several UAS books, Jennifer guides agencies and organizations with UAS program implementation.
Wendy Erikson
Podcast Host, Women And Drones
USA
Wendy Erikson, is a Part 107-certified remote pilot and Emmy Award-winning journalist. She hosts the Women And Drones Podcast while also contributing to social media and STEM initiatives for the Women And Drones multi-media platform. Wendy is the co-author of several children’s books about drones.
How We Made Our Selections
During the nomination period, we received 471 nominations from eight countries. Individuals were permitted to nominate themselves or others. Based on the nominating submissions, semi-finalists were chosen within each catagory. All semi-finalists were invited to submit additional information about themselves, their work, and their goals. Final selections were made by our international panel of judges.
The judges considered the following qualities:
- Dedicated to delivering innovations and solutions that create value for others in the industry.
- Distinguish themselves by leading people and companies, and investing time and money to enable drone technology to benefit the world.
- Positively shape the public perception of drones.
- Advocate for and empower more women to enter the industry and pursue high-level roles.
Founder/CEO, Women And Drones
Sharon Rossmark
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 CEO and founder 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 facilitator.