The Women of the Year Awards gathers top Georgia companies at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math industries to recognize and announce the Woman of the Year – women who demonstrate leadership and vision in business, and are remarkable women who make a difference in our community. Additionally, one special WIT Girl will be recognized as the Girl of the Year for her exemplary achievement and dedication to STEAM education.

This year, 37 women were honored by being nominated as a Woman of the Year and 13 young girls were nominated as Girl of the Year. Each honoree holds a business or STEAM leadership role within an organization in Georgia or have shown excellence in STEAM education studies.

One winner from each category will be announced at the Thursday, November 8, 2018 gala event at the Georgia Aquarium. Here are this year's finalists in the four categories including Girl of the Year:

Large/Enterprise Business, representing companies with more than 2,500 employees

Diana Lee Caplinger, Chief Administrative Officer, Consumer Technology – SunTrust Banks, Inc.
Nicole Jones, Global Innovation Leader – Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Shalima Pannikode, Vice President Information Technology – Anthem, Inc.

Medium/Mid-Size Business, representing companies with 251 to 2,500 employees and Educational Institutions

Sherry Farrugia, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer - GT/CHOA Pediatric Technology Center
Sweta Sneha, Executive Director and Professor of Healthcare Management and Informatics - Kennesaw State University
Erica Stanley, Founder, Women Who Code Atlanta/Engineering Manager - SalesLoft

Small/Emerging Business, representing companies with 250 employees or less

Tammy Cohen, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer - InfoMart
Annie Eaton, Chief Executive Officer - Futurus
Valarie Mackey, Chief Executive Officer - WrightNow Solutions

Non-Profit Organization, representing public/private non-profits

Jasmine Miller, Managing Director - Per Scholas
Michelle Coward-Wells, Lead Physicist - Piedmont Healthcare
Katie Logan, Vice President, Experience - Piedmont Healthcare

Girl of the Year

Audra Buffington, North Springs High School (11th Grade)
Medinah Allah, Ayo Aby Academy (10th Grade)
Zora Felix, New Manchester High School (9th)

The Coca-Cola Company - Presenting Sponsor

The Coca-Cola Company is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.

Cox Automotive - VIP Sponsor

Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling and owning cars easier for everyone. The global company’s 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, VinSolutions, vAuto and Xtime, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across 100+ countries and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion.