TechRochester Names 2026 Technology Woman and Emerging Technology Woman of the Year

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — This past Thursday TechRochester brought together the region’s innovation community to celebrate leadership, impact, and progress at the 2026 Technology Woman of the Year Awards, held at the Memorial Art Gallery. The annual event recognizes women driving meaningful advancement across technology fields while reinforcing the importance of visibility, mentorship, and retention within Greater Rochester’s growing tech ecosystem.

This year’s top honors were awarded to Cheryl Nelan, named Technology Woman of the Year, and Kayte Malik, recognized as Emerging Technology Woman of the Year. Two leaders whose careers reflect both depth of expertise and a commitment to shaping the future of the industry.

The awards program is designed to do more than recognize achievement. It serves as a platform to elevate women in technology, encourage the next generation to pursue careers in the field, and strengthen the broader regional ecosystem through mentorship and representation.

Cheryl Nelan, president of CMIT Solutions of Rochester, was recognized for her leadership in building a client-centered IT services business focused on long-term partnership and operational excellence. Over the past decade, she has grown the company with a clear emphasis on proactive support, cybersecurity, and strategic technology implementation. Her approach blends technical expertise with business strategy, helping organizations scale while maintaining secure and resilient systems.

Nelan’s work spans managed IT services, cybersecurity assessments, backup and data protection strategies, and ongoing technology management, allowing clients to focus on their core operations. Her leadership style—grounded in relationship-building and execution, has positioned her as a key contributor to the region’s business and technology landscape.

Kayte Malik, founder and managing director of Arrow House Group, was recognized as Emerging Technology Woman of the Year for her work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and high-growth strategy. Through Arrow House Group, Malik advises organizations on AI adoption, system integration, and enterprise-scale transformation initiatives. She also founded Connected Know in late 2025, which focuses on delivering business intelligence and storytelling around startups, innovation, and economic activity in Rochester and similar markets.

Malik’s career trajectory reflects a blend of corporate execution and entrepreneurial leadership. After early experience across major U.S. markets, including Chicago, Charlotte, she joined FanDuel, where she played a key role in launching online sports betting operations across North America. Beyond professional work, Malik has been a consistent advocate for inclusion in technology. Through multiple tech initiatives she has helped introduce young women to coding and STEM pathways, reinforcing the importance of access and representation at every stage of the talent pipeline.

The event also featured a keynote address from Andrea Holland, whose remarks set a reflective and forward-looking tone for the morning. Organizers and attendees emphasized that the impact of the event extends beyond a single ceremony—it reflects a broader effort to build a more inclusive and resilient tech community.

Event leadership, including Paul Gebel and Emily Judkins, was recognized for delivering a seamless and thoughtfully executed program. Their work, alongside TechRochester’s board, sponsors, and volunteers, underscores the operational discipline required to bring together a high-impact community event at this scale.

As TechRochester leaders noted, recognizing women in technology is not just symbolic, it is foundational to the region’s long-term growth. Visibility drives opportunity. Representation strengthens pipelines. And sustained support ensures that talent remains and thrives locally.

The 2026 awards serve as a reminder that Rochester’s tech ecosystem continues to evolve, powered by leaders who are not only advancing their organizations, but actively shaping the future of the industry.

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