We’re proud to recognize and celebrate Shay Donelson, Program Manager at Entarian, who was named the Winner of the Unsung Hero category at this year’s WIT Leadership Awards Gala. This event celebrates excellence in leadership and those who mentor and empower the next generation of leaders within the DC technology community.
Shay supports CISA’s Enterprise Engineering and Operations contract, where she leads technical, operational, and engineering initiatives that strengthen cybersecurity and modernize enterprise IT services. Her people-first, results-driven leadership consistently fuels growth, efficiency, and mission readiness.
Beyond her impact at CISA, Shay is a champion for women in technology and a dedicated mentor to emerging leaders. Her journey is marked by extraordinary resilience and a deep commitment to service. She played a key role in raising over $50,000 for domestic violence services, pediatric medical research, food banks, and school programs—work that empowers women and communities to envision greater possibilities and break barriers with confidence and purpose.
Shay’s resilience, compassion, and unwavering leadership truly embody the spirit of the Unsung Hero award. We’re honored to celebrate this well‑deserved achievement and the difference she continues to make.
We also congratulate Aisha Niazi, Founder and CEO of Annexos, who won in the Founder/Entrepreneur category. She was nominated by Sev1Tech—now Entarian—and is a longtime partner who has supported our Civilian team across multiple initiatives. Aisha is a visionary in identity and access management and a committed mentor who uplifts emerging technologists and women in IT. Her community‑focused leadership and dedication to creating opportunities exemplify the spirit of the WIT Awards.
This year’s awards gala was held the evening of May 6 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Virginia.
About Women in Technology
Women in Technology (WIT) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to advancing women throughout every stage of their technology careers. Guided by the core values of collaboration, integrity, accountability, and community, WIT creates opportunities for connection, growth, and leadership development.
Their mission is powered by an accomplished Board of Directors and a committed network of volunteers representing a wide range of roles and backgrounds. Together, they drive WIT’s vision forward and uphold the values that strengthen and support women in the technology community.
