INDIANAPOLIS — Women & Hi Tech has announced the list of 2026 Leading Light Award nominees and scholarship applicants ahead of its biennial Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala on Oct. 1 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. The full list of nominees and applicants is available at https://www.womenandhitech.org/2026-LLA-Nominees-Applicants/.

At the gala, Women & Hi Tech will award at over $60,000 in scholarships and grants to female-identifying students pursuing science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) degrees at Indiana colleges and universities, and will recognize nine STEM professionals across a range of award categories.

“The strength of this year’s nominees and scholarship applicants is a direct reflection of the work our community is doing to open doors for women in STEM,” said Kayci Spandau, Signature Events Director at Women & Hi Tech. “From high school students taking their first steps into the field to seasoned professionals reshaping their industries, every name on this list represents someone who chose to lead, mentor, or simply show up for the next generation. We’re honored to celebrate all of them at this year’s Leading Light Awards and Scholarship Gala.”

Award and scholarship recipients will be announced live the evening of the gala. Tables and individual tickets went on sale Tuesday, Aug. 25. More information on attending the event or getting involved as a sponsor is available at womenandhitech.org/LLA.

Women & Hi Tech would like to express gratitude to all of the annual sponsors as well as the Leading Light Awards, Scholarship and Grant Sponsors. We would like to thank our Platinum Sponsor and the Leading Light Awards Signature Sponsor Eli Lilly & Company as well as all of our community partners who provide incredible continued support of Women & Hi Tech’s mission and make our gala possible.

About Women & Hi Tech: Women & Hi Tech is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in STEM careers across Indiana. Learn more at womenandhitech.org.

Women & Hi Tech
133 West Market Street, #220
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2801
events@womenandhitech.org