Kildare woman wins prestigious Diversity & Inclusion in Tech Award

Clane resident, Claire MacNamee was among this year's winners at the 2026 Diversity & Inclusion in Tech Awards (DITAs), which took place at Dublin's Gibson Hotel.

Claire, of TrailblazHER TU Dublin took home the STEM Advocate Award.

Claire is Head of Enterprise Academy at TU Dublin and her achievement was celebrated alongside leading individuals and organisations from across Ireland’s technology and business community.

Now in their ninth year, the DITAs recognise leadership and achievement across areas including workplace equity, equal opportunities, social impact, STEM advocacy, talent acquisition, innovation and inclusive workplace culture.

The winners of the 2026 Diversity & Inclusion in Tech Awards (DITAs) were unveiled at a ceremony at Dublin’s Gibson Hotel, bringing together more than 300 leaders and representatives from across the technology and business community to celebrate the individuals and organisations helping to create a more diverse and inclusive technology sector.

Among the most significant honours of the evening was the Kay McNulty Award, presented to Dr Ann B. Kelleher, one of Ireland’s most distinguished technology leaders and a pioneering figure in the global semiconductor industry.

Dr Kelleher is Retired Senior Vice President and General Manager of Technology Development at Intel Corporation, where she was responsible for the research, development and deployment of next-generation silicon logic, packaging and test technologies that power the future of Intel’s innovation.

The award is named in honour of Irish computing pioneer Kathleen “Kay” McNulty, one of the original programmers of ENIAC, one of the world’s earliest general-purpose electronic digital computers.

Dr Kelleher’s recognition reflects her exceptional contribution to global technology and engineering, as well as the example she continues to set for the next generation of technology leaders.

Katie Molony, Managing Director of the Diversity in Tech Awards, said: “The 2026 Diversity & Inclusion in Technology Awards celebrate people and organisations who are demonstrating what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice, creating opportunities, challenging barriers and ensuring that talent from different backgrounds has the opportunity to participate, progress and lead.”

“This year’s winners demonstrate the extraordinary breadth of talent and leadership across Ireland’s technology community. From emerging talent and inspirational role models to major employers, educators and community organisations, each is contributing in a meaningful way to a technology sector that better reflects the society it serves.”

2026 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN TECH AWARD WINNERS

• Culture of Belonging Award – HubSpot based in Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin sponsored by Rent the Runway
• Equal Opportunities Employer of the Year – EPAM Systems based in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, sponsored by Comcast Business
• Inclusion Champion of the Year – ERG Program, Ericsson based in Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18 sponsored by Yahoo
• Inspirational Diversity Role Model Award – Jennifer Cox, Tines based in Westland Square, Dublin 2 sponsored by UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
• Social Impact & Digital Divide Award – ESB based in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, sponsored by Fiserv
• The Talent Acquisition Innovation Award – Greenhouse based on the Mespil Road, Dublin 4, Sponsored by Aspire PR & Marketing
• Workplace Equity Initiative Award – Datavant based in Galway, Sponsored by Unicef
• Rising Star Award – Hannah Lormenyo, Microsoft based in Dublin 18 Sponsored by Greenhouse
• Startup Visionary Award – Rhona Togher, Lios based in Dublin 2 – sponsored by Local Enterprise Office
• STEM Advocate Award – Claire MacNamee, TrailblazHER TU Dublin, sponsored by ESB
• Tech Leader Award – Mel Good, J.P. Morgan Chase based in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2, sponsored by PTSB
• Technical Guru Award – Rachel Hadas Aharon, Fiserv based in in Grand Canal Dock, Dublin2, sponsored by Tapadoo
• The AI & Data Innovator Award – Zhe Cui, University College Dublin sponsored by Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet
• Kay McNulty Award – Dr Ann B. Kelleher, Intel, Co. Cork sponsored by Business and Finance
• Inspiration Award – Dr Abeba Birhane, Artificial Intelligence Accountability Lab (AIAL), Trinity College Dublin sponsored by Dublin Tech Summit
• Diversity in Tech Impact Award – An Cosán – Jobstown, Dublin 24, sponsored by TCS