techfrederick Honors Local Innovators at the 2024 Techie Awards
December 11, 2024 / Brooke Faulkner / News
FREDERICK, MD – December 11, 2024 – techfrederick, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the technology industry’s growth in Frederick County, proudly hosted the second annual Techie Awards on December 10, 2024, at Union Mills Public House. This year’s event built upon the success of the inaugural ceremony, attracting over 130 attendees and bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts to celebrate the exceptional contributions of individuals and companies shaping the local tech community.
The techfrederick Techie Awards were designed to honor the invaluable contributions of the individuals and organizations who drive innovation and excellence in Frederick’s tech industry. This year’s ceremony celebrated eight award winners, significantly impacting diverse categories.
The award categories and respective winners include:
STEM Student Achievement Award: Yashita Thalla
As a senior at Urbana High School, Yashita holds a remarkable 4.8 weighted GPA and has been recognized at both county and national levels for her STEM accomplishments. Her groundbreaking research on photo-reactivation in bacteria highlights her dedication to advancing science.
Outstanding STEM Educator Award: Taylor McGaughey-Nardi
Taylor, a LYNX teacher at Frederick High, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to STEM education. Her efforts include mentoring new teachers, developing innovative curricula, and integrating technologies like robotics and smart farming into her classroom to inspire students and foster their love for learning.
Rising Star Award: Faith Mae Kiser, Devis
Faith joined Devis as a recent graduate and quickly became indispensable. Within months of starting her role, she mastered complex government contracting processes, spearheaded technical projects, and contributed to AI tool development and website redesign. Faith’s drive and versatility set her apart as a true rising star in tech.
Outstanding Community Advocate Award: Theresa Bethune, InfoPathways
Theresa’s tireless dedication to the community includes mentoring startups, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting nonprofit initiatives like FITCI’s innovation hub. Her contributions have strengthened Frederick’s position as a leader in science and technology.
Most Promising Startup Award (Tie):
- OMAPIX: A pioneering spatial omics company that uses cutting-edge technologies to analyze biomolecules in their native spatial contexts. Their advanced laboratory in Frederick drives innovation in life sciences and medical research.
- PsyTechVR: A virtual reality mental health startup revolutionizing anxiety treatment. Their AI-powered VR applications have increased, helping hundreds of clients and redefining mental health care through innovative technology.
Unsung Hero Award: Santhana Shanmugam, Minnodi LLC
Santhana’s leadership emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Minnodi partners with nonprofits to offer free training programs, empowering at-risk populations, low-income individuals, and female heads of households with career advancement opportunities.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Scott Ryser, Yakabod
Scott, co-founder of Yakabod and techfrederick, is celebrated for his decades of innovation, mentoring, and community building. His legacy includes developing top-rated software solutions, fostering a strong local tech network, and creating a lasting impact through his entrepreneurial and personal endeavors.
“The 2024 Techie Awards have once again demonstrated the strength, talent, and innovation within Frederick’s technology community,” said Meghan Sweigart, Executive Director of techfrederick. “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions. We proudly celebrate their achievements and look forward to continuing this annual tradition of recognizing excellence in tech.”
The techfrederick Techie Awards underscore the organization’s commitment to fostering growth, collaboration, and recognition within Frederick’s technology community. techfrederick extends its gratitude to sponsors, partners, and participants who contributed to this year’s event’s success.
For more information about techfrederick and the Techie Awards, please visit www.techfrederick.org.
About techfrederick:
techfrederick is a nonprofit organization that serves as the hub for technology and innovation in Frederick County, Maryland. techfrederick’s mission is to connect, educate, and empower a strong technology community and its partners by fostering growth, innovation, and collaboration to benefit all who live and work in the region. For more information, visit techfrederick.org.
Contact:
Meghan Sweigart
Executive Director
msweigart@techfrederick.org
443-277-8195
