Who is a "techno-visionary"? She is a woman able to generate innovation and "invent the future" by creating technologies; a woman whose work has been able to integrate creativity, innovation and quality of life. And what is meant by innovation is not only the development of new instruments, but above all the ability to set new goals and to see problems in a different light (information regarding the 2008 award edition is available here).

The winners of the Women&Technology Award were announced during the international Women&Technologies®: creativity and innovation conference, in Milan, at the "Leonardo da Vinci" National Museum of Science and Technology on 9^th November 2009. The award ceremony took place during the Gala Soirée that followed the conference, and was attended by numerous institutional actors, businesspeople, academic figures and media representatives.


The members of the judging panel were:

• Diana Bracco
  Presidente of the special Research and innovation and Expo 2015 projects - Confindustria - President of the Management Company of the Expo 2015
• Giovanni Caprara
  Journalist, writer, chief science editor of the Corriere della Sera newspaper
• Deborah Chiodoni
  External relations and Press Manager, "Leonardo da Vinci" National Museum of Science and Technology, Milan
  
• Luca De Biase
  Director of Nova 24, Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper
• Gianna Martinengo
  Founder and President of Didael Srl; Coordinator of the Female Entrepreneurship Committees of the Lombardy Region; President of the Committee for Female Entrepreneurship of Milan
• Silvia Rosa Brusin
  Journalist, presenter and junior editor of Leonardo, RAI3
• Maddalena Sorrentino
  Lecturer at the Political Science Faculty of the University of Milan, member of CEPIS (Council of European Professional Informatics Societies)
• Cristina Stancari
  Sport and Leisure Councillor - Youth policies - Equal Opportunities, Province of Milan
• Federica Villa
  Head of Institutional Relations for the Presidency, Chamber of Commerce of Milan

Catia Bastioli, Chief Executive Officer of Novamont S.p.a.

• Reasons: The perfect example of how solid technical-scientific preparation, combined with managerial know-how, can transform research results into innovative applications. The approach and solutions applied to environmental issues, particularly in terms of bioplastics, represent a strong message and model for Italy as a whole.
• Award presented by: Patrizia Grieco, Chief Executive Officer of Olivetti – Telecom Italia Group.

Barbara Poggiali, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of DADA – RCS Group

• Reasons: Starting out from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – USA), she was able to create a highly successful Italian “vision”. The different company contexts in which she has worked, the different sectors in which she has established herself, and the numerous challenges she has faced and won are an example of how important “people” are, in any activity, with respect to other factors.
• Award presented by: Gianna Martinengo, President of Didael and member of the Women&Technology Award Judging Panel.

 Special Chamber of Commerce of Milan prize for “Public Administration”

Maria Virginia Rizzo, Director of the Ministry of the Interior's web portal

• Reasons: In Italy, innovating in the context of Public Administration is a top priority. Being able to create and apply innovative projects successfully is a significant achievement. The e-government system of the Ministry of the Interior, with its associated sms texting mechanism, serves to simplify communication, facilitate the spread of information and bring the State closer to its citizens.
• Award presented by: Federica Villa, Head of the Presidency and Institutional Relations for the Chamber of Commerce of Milan and member of the Women&Technology Award Judging Panel.

Special Chamber of Commerce of Milan prize for “Applications of social interest” 

Stefania Bastianello, Teacher – AISLA (Italian Association for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

• Reasons: Her professional know-how, feminine intuition and wifely strength of will, combined with ICT, are allowing her to develop a system of communication for people with very severe motor disabilities, with potential applications for other serious conditions. Hers is a family story that has become an example and an aid for greater society.
• Award presented by: Cristina Stancari, Councillor for Sport, Leisure, Youth Policies and Equal Opportunities for the Province of Milan and President of the Women&Technology Award Judging Panel.

Special “School” prize of the National Museum of Science and Technology 

Linda Giannini, Teacher at the Don Milani Comprehensive Institute in Latina

• Reasons: Because she was able to harness and expand the educational potential of communication technologies in an original manner. Because of her tireless contributions to the blogs of the Ministry and scientific-educational associations. Because she communicates with and “raises” the young well. An ideal teacher for any student.
• Award presented by: Massimo Sordi, Vice President of the National Museum of Science and Technology.