Priscila Bernardes Wins WIICTA's Shining Star Award

Lancom Technology CEO, Priscila Bernardes, has won Reseller News' Women in ICT Shining Star Award! This event, the largest gathering in New Zealand celebrating female excellence in ICT, saw over 330 attendees honouring outstanding achievements across the IT industry. With more than 170 nominations and 95 finalists, Priscila is one of just 15 winners. The Shining Star Award recognises "an established candidate with a strong record of achievement, acknowledging excellence in spearheading company initiatives and driving strategic change." 

An abridged excerpt from her nomination, which gives insight into her story and achievements, is below:

Priscila has showcased outstanding leadership qualities as a mentor for future leaders and is continuing to do so as the new CEO. As mentioned earlier, her involvement in the AWS Hāpori Wāhine initiative showcases her commitment to empowering women in the tech industry. By mentoring aspiring female leaders, championing diversity and inclusion, and engaging in workshops and events, she has significantly contributed to creating a supportive community for women in tech. Additionally, she regularly shares updates on the program and encourages women in the tech industry to get involved, actively promoting the cause. This not only establishes her as a role model for future women in tech but also inspires those already in the industry, demonstrating that despite her demanding role, she prioritises such impactful initiatives. 

Priscila has also recently embarked on a project with the University of Auckland, which sees Lancom provide resources and industry insights to help students develop cutting-edge solutions. The latest project has a small group of students come into the Lancom office to work with our tools to create a customer dashboard. While this is something that Lancom could do internally, Priscila sees the immense value in getting students to build their knowledge and contribute unique ideas to Lancom and the wider ICT industry.  

In addition to these initiatives, Priscila is also an active contributor to building Technology knowledge within her Brazilian community. She personally mentors 3 other women in IT, based in Brazil and sponsors their education - in addition to having mentored and supported just under one hundred others in the industry in NZ. Her vision is to ensure equal opportunities for all, and to build a legacy by empowering other females to start, develop and progress in the industry. 

Priscila’s involvement in various initiatives underscores her exceptional leadership qualities and solidifies her role as a role model in the tech industry. Her dedication to the AWS Hāpori Wāhine Initiative, her collaborative projects with the University of Auckland, and her unwavering support for the Brazilian tech community are only a few of many examples that exemplify her commitment to fostering talent, diversity, and inclusion. By mentoring aspiring female leaders, championing equal opportunities, and actively engaging in community-building efforts, Priscila not only empowers the next generation of ICT leaders but also sets a powerful example for her peers.