Lauren Alie of PwC has been announced as finalist for the Apprentice Award, awarded to a young woman apprentice who is a game-changer and is excelling in her early career and Melissa Snover from REM3DY Health/Nourished has been announced as finalist for the Innovator Award, awarded to a woman designing, developing, researching, implementing or being exceptionally creative with technology in an unconventional and innovative way.

From women developing technology to support the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out and the NHS’s fight against the virus, to those running businesses that assist developing economies, to the young rising stars that place diversity and inclusion at the forefront of their organisations, the 88 finalists are all united by one common goal – to create a legacy founded on people, planet and purpose, a legacy that leaves the world in a better place than they found it.

For the first time over one million women are now working in STEM. However, the impact of the pandemic means that one in four women are currently considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce, which risks both a skills gap and a setback for gender parity. This is why the role played by the awards in promoting careers and showcasing the achievements and networks of women working in the sector is so important.

This year’s finalists will join everywoman’s alumnus of hundreds of incredible women in technology, from talented students through to high-performing entrepreneurs and CEOs.

Winners will be announced at an experiential virtual ceremony on 4th March 2021. The ceremony will broadcast a number of documentary-style films driven by the insights, experiences and hopes of finalists and stakeholders. Young people starting their journeys into tech will pose questions and challenges to women on the cutting edge, whilst interviewees share stories of inspirational women in tech – past and present – celebrating the legacy of women in the industry.

Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywoman comments: “We are thrilled to announce the 2021 FDM everywoman in Technology Awards finalists. From supporting front-line efforts against Covid-19, to managing systems and software that have kept the country moving, these individuals showcase the critical role that technology has played over the past year. The vital advancements technology is making towards saving, transforming and improving lives is more evident now than ever before, making our mission to supply a strong future pipeline of technological talent of the utmost importance.”

Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer of FDM Group comments: “These awards are a celebration of the talent, hard work and commitment shown by so many women in the technology industry. At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has tested frontline services – including our NHS – to the limit, the role of technology in keeping critical services running, connecting loved ones, and saving lives has never been more important.