The 9 Technovisionaries® of 2019 who invent and transform the future
The association Women&Technologies has awarded the International Technovisionary Prize. ® 2019, XIII edition, awarded each year to women who, in their professional activities, have demonstrated to possess vision, prioritizing social impact, transparency in behavior, and ethics.
Milan, July 3, 2019 – After almost a year of work and hundreds of applications screened, the Jury, chaired by Diana Bracco , awarded the painting Anità of the XIII edition of the , during the award ceremony, conducted by Debora Rosciani , journalist of Radio24, which will be held today in the charming setting of the Belvedere Jannacci, on the 31st floor of Palazzo Pirelli, in the presence of 120 guests (decision-makers from business, university, public administration, and personalities from the scientific, cultural, and media world). International Technovisionary Award ®
Award presented by: Diana Bracco, President and CEO of Bracco Group
Applied Research Category: Jayshree Seth , Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate, 3M
Award presented by: Alessandro Fermi, President of the Regional Council - Lombardy Region
Scientific Research Award Category: Marinella Levi , Full Professor of Materials Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Polytechnic of Milan.
Award presented by: Anna Dotti, student at the Polytechnic of Milan
Renewable Energy and Environment Category: Emilia Rio , Director of Human Resources, HSE, Organization and Change Management, A2A, President of AMSA
Award presented by: Roberto Prioreschi, Managing Director of Bain & Company
Renewable Energy and Environment Category: Marina Gandini , Junior Research Scientist at Glass to Power, spin-off of the University of Milan Bicocca
Award presented by: Milena Bardoni, Senior Private Banker, Banca Mediolanum
Media Category: Silvia Bencivelli , Doctor, journalist and scientific communicator, radio and television host
Award presented by: Maria Pia Abbracchio, Vice Rector with delegation for Research Strategies and Policies and Full Professor of Pharmacology, State University of Milan
Special Awards Category: Special Art and Science Award: Sonia Bergamasco , actress and director
Award presented by: Laura Piazzi, Journalist, radio host, and television author
Special Public Administration Award: Monica Parrella , General Director of Personnel at the Ministry of Economy and Finance
Award presented by: Magda Bianco, Head of the Customer Protection and Anti-Money Laundering Service and Coordinator of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Bank of Italy
Special Europe Award: Jill Morris , UK Ambassador to Italy and San Marino
Award presented by: Giampiero Massolo, Ambassador, President of ISPI
The main theme of this edition was "Sustainability and New Materials", a front that engages everyone for a possible future in which the winners are already expressing their achievements and depth of understanding. With a focus on the future that the Award presents to the public every year, the network enriches itself with strategic excellences and virtuous examples.
They are businesswomen, professionals, managers, and brilliant visionary talents connected by a single thread: the desire to "change and transform the future" to contribute to building the society of today and tomorrow. A society founded on ingenuity and recognition of talent, a vocation for ethics, transparency, and inclusion, because only together can we bring about the necessary change for the country's growth, at a time when speed, innovation, and technology are paramount in the competitive scene.
“Women are technovisionaries par excellence: numerous scientific studies show that compared to men, they graduate and earn degrees earlier because they have greater learning capabilities and women's investments are often more accurate and profitable, with a gain of 18% compared to 11% for men. – declares Alessandro Fermi , President of the Lombardy Regional Council – Furthermore, in the workplace, once they have overcome initial emotions, they are able to have a more clear and rational approach, they are more efficient in multitasking and are more determined in achieving set goals. Therefore, rewarding female merit necessarily means, consequently, rewarding excellence: that excellence that has always unmistakably characterized these thirteen editions of the International Technovisionary Award, proposing each time candidates and figures of the highest caliber and importance. The nine women awarded this year in the context of the theme "sustainability and new materials" are a pride for our society and above all an example and a reference to which new generations can and must look, not only women but also men: visionaries in history have always anticipated the future. But it is the use of technology that gives visionaries that rationality which creates and generates an extraordinary mix that allows not only to anticipate the future, but also to direct and guide it. It will not be easy, but my commitment from today will certainly be to make our regional institution a bit more techno visionary”.
“Also this year, the International Technovisionary Award, a great intuition by Gianna Martinengo, has identified and highlighted extraordinary women who with their commitment are truly transforming the world of technology and business”, stated Diana Bracco , President of the jury and entrepreneur passionate about research. “Personally, I am convinced that no company or country can afford to forgo the contribution of women and it seems that finally even European institutions have realized this today. To the younger ones, I still make an appeal: never accept the prejudice that would make women less suitable for technical and scientific professions, whose skills are increasingly demanded by the world of work”.
"As the director of Elle, I am constantly committed to giving voice to women, embracing their ideas and visions." - declares Maria Elena Viola , director of Elle - "I often wonder what our future would be like if choices regarding development and technology were completely entrusted to them. It is an unanswered question, of course, the future of humanity belongs to everyone, but it is certainly a personal satisfaction to discover and to have others discover through Elle, how discoveries and innovations linked to female figures are increasingly opening the door to a better future. There is no difference between their work and that of their colleagues, except that too often we still tell stories in which the challenge for women is more difficult and competitive than that of men. This is why an award like the tech-visionaries will always have our support, because we at Elle also have the visionary goal of talking about women who are no longer an exception, but a testament to how to build the future together".
Promoting the sharing and exchange of experiences and skills in the fields of technology, social innovation, sustainability, human capital inclusion, life science, art, culture, creativity, gender gap, and diversity is the primary goal of Women&Technologies - Association of Women and Technologies. A vast network of professionals and individuals, permeated by the principles of innovation in all its components, which in recent years has involved thousands of individuals in activities and reflections aimed at promoting culture and the exchange of experiences, creating opportunities with a special focus on younger generations. And the Technovisionarie® Award represents a moment of celebration and inspiration. "Our Technovisionarie® represent an important reservoir of female talent that our country has," says Gianna Martinengo, creator of Women&Technologies - "But above all, their merit, ability, and determination have been recognized, valued, and rewarded with careers, success, and achievements. The Technovisionarie® Award aims to be a tribute to their entrepreneurship and an encouragement for young people to look positively towards the future."
See you in 2020!
The international Tecnovisionarie Award is promoted by Women&Tech - Association Women and Technologies, founded by Gianna Martinengo to valorize female talent in technology, innovation, and scientific research, to promote projects and actions aimed at fighting stereotypes and gender discrimination, and to contribute to guiding young people towards future professions and sustainable entrepreneurial models. www.womentech.eu
