Company/Organization & Achievement Awards Judging Committee

Chair:
Viola Palescandolo, Founder & CEO
Black Platinum Gold B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands

Viola Palescandolo describes herself as an innovator in luxury travel and an entrepreneur extraordinaire.  She is a former naval engineer, equestrian show jumper, luxury superyacht expert, and passionate traveler, whose insatiable curiosity and drive led her to establish Black Platinum Gold, a groundbreaking company that revolutionized the world of luxury travel. As the visionary founder and CEO, Palescandolo introduced the first-of-its-kind luxury travel auction platform, creating an unparalleled connection between discerning travelers and exclusive hospitality experiences from around the globe.  Born and raised in the vibrant city of Naples, Italy, Palescandolo developed a deep appreciation for exploration and cultural diversity from an early age. Her innate wanderlust, coupled with a strong engineering background, propelled her to embark on a remarkable journey through life, living in cosmopolitan cities such as Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Verona, and Milan.

Palescandolo's illustrious career began in the field of naval engineering, where she honed her skills and developed a keen eye for precision and innovation. Her expertise in luxury superyachts allowed her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impeccable standards and opulence that discerning travelers sought in their adventures. In June 2022, Palescandolo and her company made waves in the tech world by venturing into the realm of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with their innovative project "Unlocking Uniqueness." This groundbreaking initiative allowed ultra-luxury experiences to be sold as NFTs in the real world, opening up a new avenue for travelers to own and cherish unforgettable moments. As a testament to her unwavering dedication and entrepreneurial prowess, Palescandolo remains deeply involved in all aspects of Black Platinum Gold's management and business development. Her relentless commitment to excellence has enabled the company to flourish, establishing it as the preeminent authority in luxury travel auctions.

Palescandolo's achievements have garnered recognition and accolades from esteemed institutions. In the 2021 and 2022 Stevie Awards for Women in Business she was honored first with the Bronze Stevie® Award for "Female Solo Entrepreneur of the Year" the Gold Stevie® Award for "Best Female Solo Entrepreneur" in 2022, solidifying her status as a trailblazing force in the industry. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Palescandolo remains a passionate advocate for cultural exchange and sustainable travel. Her experiences living in diverse cities have shaped her understanding of the importance of embracing different cultures and preserving the natural wonders of the world. This unwavering commitment to responsible tourism has driven Black Platinum Gold to incorporate sustainability initiatives into their operations, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore the world's most captivating destinations.  Viola Palescandolo's extraordinary journey, from a naval engineer to a trailblazing entrepreneur, demonstrates the transformative power of following one's passions and embracing new opportunities. Through Black Platinum Gold, she has elevated the world of luxury travel, connecting discerning travelers with extraordinary experiences that will create lasting memories. As Palescandolo continues to innovate and inspire, she remains an unwavering force in the pursuit of unlocking the true essence of travel.

Committee:

Gursimran Ahuja, Manager
Bain & Company, San Francisco, California, United States
Simran Ahuja, a management consultant at Bain & Company, has worked in retail and private equity for the past five years. With an MBA in Finance and Strategy from Northwestern University, she has delivered strong strategic and operational outcomes, earning the Dean's Service Award and being featured on the Dean's List.

Shalini Ajayan, Director - Data Analytics and Strategy
ICF International, Lorton, Virginia, United States

Sevim Aktulga, Sustainability Partner
Yöntem Research, Istanbul, Besiktas, Turkey
After working as a computer engineer for a financial institution for 15 years, Sevim Aktulga has acquired a marketing research agency. Four years after her acquisition, the company was awarded Company of the Year in the Women's Business Awards. She is the chair of the company. She also mentors students and junior businesspeople.

Robyn Baker, Founder & Owner
Busy Connecting, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Robyn, founder of Busy Connecting, which specializes in business growth and development strategies. Robyn’s background is in multi-disciplinary marketing and communication areas, specializing in key stakeholder and community engagement. With over 40 years of governance and compliance experience, she has managed large strategic communication projects in the corporate, government, and community sectors globally.

Caroline Barton, Managing Partner
SC7 International, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Caroline Barton has been one of the Managing Partners of SC7 International since 2018. This followed 30 years experience in the corporate sector with ASX Listed companies to executive management level, specializing in financial management, governance, and corporate services, before moving into the world as an entrepreneur.

Ing. Jekaterina Beljankova, Owner and CEO
Wallace s.r.o, Prague, Zizkov, Czech Republic
A holder of a Master's degree and a true inspiration and entrepreneur in the real estate industry. With over nine years of experience, she has become a respected founder of a successful real estate business. Is a member of prestigious Czech real estate associations, which confirms her professionalism and commitment to high industry standards.

Tirtha Chavan, Director, Enterprise Transformation
Salesforce, San Francisco, California, United States 
Tirtha Chavan is the Director of the Enterprise Transformation Office at Salesforce with over a decade of experience in Business Transformation, Customer-centric Strategy and Innovation. She has firmly established herself as a distinguished Software as a Service (SaaS) Business leader and has made significant contributions to the industry.

Lauren Clemett, Managing Director
The Audacious Agency, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
Lauren is an award-winning personal branding specialist with 30 years of experience in brand management. She is a five-time bestselling author, neurobranding expert, and co-founder of The Audacious Agency, helping entrepreneurs build their profiles to be well-known, well-paid, and wanted. Lauren is also a sailor, golfer, and vodka quality control expert.

Elaine Coopersmith, CEO
Flow Ventures, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Elaine is the CEO of Flow, which helps Canadian companies obtain innovation and growth funding. She's been a female leader in tech and product for over 20 years and has a passion for building businesses and tech startups.

Viktoriya Dombrovska, Director
ProfMed Healthcare Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Viktoriya Dombrovska has been Director and Founder of CPAP company ProfMed Healthcare Solutions for 15 years, has experience in sleep apnea therapy for 20 years, has publications about sleep apnea, and has received business awards.

Girish Gajwani, Vice President
Barclays, Livingston, New Jersey, United States
A hands-on Information Technology Leader who thrives on tackling intricate business challenges through technology and innovation Girish's passion for leveraging cutting-edge solutions to drive impactful results has been a driving force throughout his career. Girish looks for challenging and rewarding environments that help him push himself outside his comfort zone.

Atul Gupta, Global Manager, Product Development
Deloitte, Zionsville, Indiana, United States
Atul Gupta boasts 17+ years in global IT Consulting, driving enterprise transformations for Deloitte, Eli Lilly, Roche, and more. As a Global Product Development Manager at Deloitte since 2019, he led DevSecOps for Salesforce COE. With extensive certifications and experience managing global projects, he excels in innovation, leadership, and technical prowess.

Emily Hicks, President
FREDsense Technologies Corp., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Emily Hicks is co-founder and President of FREDsense Technologies where she has worked for the past nine years. As a startup founder, Emily has received several awards, including the top 30 under 30 in Canada for Sustainability and an Arch award from the University of Calgary for Early Career Achievement.

Alison Higgins-Miller, CEO
Lightray Insights Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Alison Higgins-Miller is the founder of Sales on Q, www.salesonq.com, a management consulting firm that specializes in helping technology organizations achieve next-stage growth through on-demand advisory and execution. Rapid growth; pitch, build, rescue, and re-launch services for global technologies, software, and service operations, large and small.

Rose Jurczewski, Owner
Funxion Fuzion, Roselle, Illinois, United States
Rose Jurczewski, Mrs. Illinois Classic Beauty 2014, has been married to her husband Brian since 2006 and has one beautiful stepdaughter, Alexandria. She holds a degree in Business Management Computer Analysis and Accounting from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Property Manager at Associa Chicagoland and has worked on a radio program.

Tsvetta Kaleynska, CEO
Rila Global Consulting, New York City, New York, United States
Tsvetta is a mother, entrepreneur, author, and TV commentator specializing in AI and technology. Fluent in five languages and with extensive consulting experience. Founder of two successful boutique firms in New York City and London: RILA GLOBAL CONSULTING, a leading social listening agency, and Merse Advisory, a strategic consultancy focused on the Metaverse.

Selma Kalkavan, CHRO & Executive Board Member
Unifree DUTYFREE, İstanbul, Turkey
Dr. Selma Kalkavan is a CHRO at Unifree DUTYFREE company. She completed her undergraduate education in Business Administration, her PhD in Management-Organization. She is an accredited coach by the ICF (PCC) and also holds a facilitator certification. She has written three books about coaching and facilitation techniques and also works in neuroscience and HR.

Venkata Krishna Sai Subhash Kuricheti, Director - Finance    
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Kannamangalam Chakaravarthi Lakshminarasimham, Head of Program Management Office
Yohana, Palo Alto, California, United States
Program Management leader with two decades experience in portfolio, program, project change management leading high- performing teams that manage complex, cross-functional and company’s top business and transformative initiatives. Leader of managers across business, product, operations, engineering & technology. Major ability to zoom in (to tactical work) and zoom out (to strategic work).

Deeksha Lamba, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Cloudflare, San Francisco, California, United States
Deeksha Lamba is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Cloudflare, specializing in cybersecurity partnerships. She has over 10 years of leadership experience across technology, venture capital, and consulting roles. She holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and an MSc in Finance from the London School of Economics.

Marie Marks, Vice President
Paramount Pictures, Los Angeles, California, United States
Marie Marks is Vice President, Themed Entertainment and Licensing, Paramount Pictures Hollywood, and an experienced executive consultant specializing in international entertainment projects and leisure developments. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, a recognized leader in her field and a board level advisor on business strategic planning.

Daniela Martucci, CEO & Founder
DMH Americas, Miami, Florida, United States
Daniela Martucci is CEO and founder of DMH & Associates Communications since 2011. She’s a marketing communications specialist leading a multicultural agency in Miami. She is a member of the Forbes Communications Council and sits on the board of several nonprofit organizations.

Elisa Mayberry, Director/Office Manager
First National Real Estate Bundaberg, Bundaberg Central, Queensland, Australia
Elisa Mayberry has been director of First National Bundaberg since 2020. She has more than 15 years of experience in various industries such as retail, hospitality, banking, and real estate. She also has an honors Degree of Bachelor of Science in International Hotel Management and Business to her name.

Dr. Erika McCormick, Chief Executive Officer
Abundant Living Consulting Corporation, Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
Dr. Erika, renowned Award-Winning Business Consultant & Master Coach, Best-Selling Author, and Speaker. Dr. McCormick is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Abundant Living Consulting Corporation, LLC, the umbrella business entity for CreditFlex Technologies, TaxNest Financials, VARep Solutions, Eden + Co. Real Estate Holdings Inc, The Abundance Business Center & Freedom Financial Group.

Sharona Meushar, VP, Marketing Communications
Perion Network, Holon, Israel
Sharona is a technology-savvy marketing and PR professional with extensive experience in designing and implementing global marketing strategies. Prior to joining Perion, she held senior marketing and PR roles at global companies and startups, including Amazon Web Services and Applicaster.

Shraddha Patil, Director of Product
Palo Alto Networks, Santa Clara, California, United States
Shraddha Patil holds the role of Director of Product at Palo Alto Networks, based in California, United States. With over 13 years of expertise in the field of Cybersecurity and the development of secure products, she is committed to empowering and supporting women within the Cybersecurity industry.

Jenny Pither, Consultant/ Director
Allied Health Admin Services, Forster, New South Wales, Australia
Jenny is the Founder and Director of Allied Health Administration and Consulting. Jenny founded the then-known Allied Health Admin Services in 2017 with a vision of supporting Allied Health Professionals in their administrative needs with a niche for the NDIS. Today, the company supports over 30 professionals and provides consulting, among other services.

Merja "Merkku" Rahkola-Toivanen, CEO and Board Member
Quartiers Properties, Siuntio, Uusimaa, Finland
Merja "Merkku" is a Finnish entrepreneur and board member with extensive experience in retail, hospitality, franchise, luxury, and branding. With a background in marketing and sales, she expanded her business to three new market areas in just one year. Merkku currently serves as a Board Member and Growth and Strategy Coach.

Siva Anand Rajavel, VP, Program Manager (Risk)
Citibank, Irving, Texas, United States
Siva, an IT professional with 15 years of experience in the banking and Insurance Industries, oversees Risk Data management, system development, and project management in Real Estate Lending. He specializes in SAS development, Python programming, regulatory reporting, data management, and data governance. Siva's interests include applied generative AI and LLM.

Sandra Richardson, Founder           
Sandrakrichardson.com, St. Augustine, Florida, United States
Sandra is a serial entrepreneur who helps companies grow, scale, and exit. She provides senior advisory services to startups and high-growth companies. Sandra leads projects and outsources services in operations, strategy, and corporate development (M&A, equity financing, and strategic partnership development).

Priya Arvind Singh Sengar, Data Scientist 
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Priya has been a Data Scientist with Old Dominion University since September 2020. Her main focus is to use data science to solve problems in higher education. She holds a Masters Degree in Data Science from Northeastern University, along with three years of experience as a Data Analyst with Tata Consultancy Services.

Sandra Stoitis, CEO | Founder & Director
The Elevated Living Co., Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Sandra Stoitis, CEO and Founder of The Elevated Living Co. group of companies. With 15+ years of executive experience, she's a high-performance mindset coach adept in leadership development, change management, and cultural transformation. Passionate about people and processes, she's a mental health advocate and business consultant driving holistic success.

Sandeep Sudarshan, Senior Manager
Ericsson R&D Global AI Accelerator, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Sandeep Sudarshan has been on the leadership team as Senior Manager at Ericsson R&D's Global AIAccelerator since 2020. He has more than 15 years of experience in designing, building, and providing thought leadership in Artificial Intelligence.

Linda Summerton, Quality Performance & Training Coordinator
Medibank, Gympie, Queensland, Australia
Linda Summerton is a highly accomplished health professional. Having owned and operated a successful Home Care business in Australia for over 18 years, she is now enjoying a key role in one of Australia’s largest health insurers, Medibank. Linda, a past Stevie Award recipient, is eagerly anticipating her involvement in the judging process.

Sudersan Vassen, Project Manager 
Volmar Construction Inc., Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States
Sudersan, a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) with over 12 years of experience, has worked on various projects for state and federal government agencies in the US. He has a Master's degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and has expertise in construction management, disaster management, flood-resilient construction, disaster mitigation, and job order contracting.

Becky Wilson, Chief Visibility Officer
WDS Marketing & PR, Overland Park, Kansas, United States
Becky and her team at WDS excel at assisting entrepreneurs, business leaders, and organizations in getting known in the most positive, innovative, and highly enjoyable ways. Her boutique agency utilizes the media and recognition and awards programs to elevate client brand.  Becky accepted a “Grand Stevie Award” in 2016 and 2019.