On Friday 19 June, more than 300 professionals from across Northern Ireland’s thriving technology sector gathered at Belfast’s Europa Hotel for one of the most anticipated events in the industry calendar—the Women in Tech Awards 2026.
Hosted by Women in Business NI and proudly supported by VANRATH as the headline sponsor, the evening was a celebration of the individuals and teams driving innovation, leadership and meaningful progress across the tech landscape. Now in its fifth year, the awards continue to shine a spotlight on the people shaping the future of technology in Northern Ireland.
Recognising Excellence Across the Sector
The awards highlighted outstanding achievements across ten categories, reflecting the depth, diversity and strength of talent within the local tech ecosystem.
Among the evening’s winners were:
Outstanding Woman in Tech 2026: Lorna McAdoo (Version 1)
C Level Woman of the Year: Beverley Noye (TP ICAP)
Digital Transformation Leader of the Year: Debbie Muldoon (BT Business)
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year: Riona McGlinchey (Kainos)
Tech Advocate of the Year: Alex Brownrigg (EY)
Entrepreneur of the Year: Loraa White (Music Video Marketplace)
Male Advocate of the Year: Yuan Zhang (Liberty IT)
One to Watch in the Future: Reeshika Mukherjee (EY)
Tech Team of the Year: Rachelle Reid and the ACE Team (Aflac Northern Ireland)
Software Engineer of the Year: Annette McCullough (DailyPay)
Each award represents not just individual success, but the collective progress of an industry that continues to evolve and expand, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
More Than Awards: Celebrating the Journey
A key theme throughout the evening was that success in technology—and in any career—is rarely linear. In her address to the audience, VANRATH Managing Director Barbara McKiernan spoke about the importance of persistence, growth and self-belief.
She highlighted that behind every finalist and winner is a story shaped by hard work, resilience and the willingness to take chances.
“One of the things I’ve learned is that success is rarely a straight line. It comes from persistence, from continuing to show up, from learning, growing and sometimes taking a chance on yourself before anyone else does.”
This message resonated strongly across the room. The achievements celebrated were not just endpoints, but milestones in ongoing journeys—journeys that often begin with uncertainty and are shaped by determination and support from others.
The Power of Representation and Community
The Women in Tech Awards also reinforce the importance of visibility and representation. Seeing successful women in leadership, technical and entrepreneurial roles has a powerful ripple effect, encouraging others to pursue similar paths.
As Barbara noted in her speech:
“Whether you realise it or not, there are people watching your journey and thinking, ‘If she can do it, maybe I can too.’”
This idea captures the broader impact of the awards. Beyond recognition, they help build confidence, inspire ambition and create a sense of possibility for the next generation entering the industry.
Equally important is the collaborative nature of Northern Ireland’s tech community. The willingness to share knowledge, mentor others and open doors continues to be a defining strength of the sector.
A Night to Remember
From the vibrant western-themed atmosphere to live music and a full room of industry peers, the evening struck a balance between celebration and connection. It was not only an opportunity to recognise achievement, but also to strengthen relationships across the tech community.
Feedback from attendees reflected the energy of the night, with our Operations Director, Rebecca Jama, describing it as “one of the best corporate events” she had attended.
Looking Ahead
As the sector continues to grow, the importance of recognising and supporting talent remains critical. Initiatives like the Women in Tech Awards play a vital role in highlighting success, fostering inclusion and building momentum for the future.
All finalists will now join the Women in Tech Awards Alumnae network, ensuring continued collaboration, support and professional development beyond the event itself.
The 2026 awards served as a reminder that the future of technology is about people. And based on the talent, leadership and ambition on display in Belfast, that future is in very strong hands.
