Each year for the past four, Women of Influence Inc. has been awarding the top 25 Women of Influence in Canada, celebrating female executives who have “made a significant difference in their field,” based on factors ranging from personal accomplishments, to board memberships, published works, and business deals initiative and/or led. Females are considered in business, health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), professional services, and public sectors. And this year, there are four particular candidates that fall within the sphere of tech.

“This year’s women may have varied backgrounds, professions, personalities and skills, but they all share in common the passion, ambition and drive to make meaningful contributions to the Canadian economy, their communities, their workplaces, and to the next generation,” says Carolyn Lawrence, President and CEO of Women of Influence. “They are true women of influence in every sense of the word.”

Here’s a closer look at the four women in tech on the list:

Suhayya (Sue) Abu-Hakima, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Amika Mobile Corporation (provider of critical and emergency communication services.)

Nominated in the Business category, Abu-Hakima is a two-time tech company founder, and holder of 29 international patents plus six pending. She previously founded AmikaNow!, a spin-off from government R&D labs that dealt in AI and content analysis. With 30 years in the technology field under her belt, and studies in both English and AI, Abu-Hakima is continuing to educate and mentor the younger generation as an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa. Among her accolades over the years includes being invested into the Order of Ontario in 2011 and being given the Queen Elizabeth II Medal for Service to Canada in 2012. She’s an inspiration to any woman considering starting her own technology business.

Abu-Hakima tells WhatsYourTech.ca that she is both “humbled and inspired” to have been chosen for the top 25. “Given that it is still tough for women to raise start-up capital and get into the ranks of upper management in a male-dominated field, I am hoping this national recognition will help inspire a new generation of female entrepreneurs as we desperately need them.”

Mary Ann Turcke, Executive Vice President, Field Operations, Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE)

Also nominated in the Business category, Turcke is responsible for a $1B budget and a quarter of Bell’s workforce in a role that she has held for the past seven years. She has degrees in Civil Engineering as well as Business Administration, along with an MBA for good measure. With a diverse skill set, she has worked with software and technology startups, as well as in the construction and railroad industries. Philanthropy is also a big part of Turcke’s life – she recently joined the Board of Sheena’s Place, a centre that provides support for those affected by eating disorders.

“It’s very exciting for me to be recognized alongside such influential women and that so many are from the communications and technology sectors,” Turcke tells us.

Karen Sheriff, President & CEO, Bell Aliant Regional Communications Inc.

As the third woman on this list from the Business category, Sheriff has moved up the ranks at Bell, working there since 1999, and in her current post at Bell Aliant since 2008. She led the provider to become the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH). Sheriff previously worked in the airline industry. Her education is in psychology, economics, and mathematics, along with degrees in business administration with a particular focus on marketing and finance. Sheriff made the top 25 list in 2013 as well, showing that she consistently stays in the spotlight as a female leader who other aspiring women can look up to, particularly in the technology field.

Says Sheriff: “We work in a great industry with a lot of change and innovation. This award reflects the work of Bell Aliant’s entire team.”

Ann Buller, President & CEO, Centennial College of Applied Arts & Technology

As one of the five women nominated in the Public Sector, Buller has spent the last decade at the helm of Centennial. In addition to heading up the 16,000 full-time students that attend the college, she was also Chair of the Board of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges for the past three years, and is the elected Chair of the Canadian Bureau for International Education. Like Sheriff, she also made the 2013 Women of Influence list. It all starts with education, and Buller is a prominent female force in technology that can help encourage other women to join the growing field.

Buller tells us that she hopes young girls and women will be inspired by the stories of the 25 women who made the list, and “realize their dreams and aspirations don’t have to be restricted by gender.”

About the Awards

All 25 candidates will be profiled in the Winter issue of Women in Influence magazine. The winner, chosen through online votes cast between September 2 and 15, will be featured on the cover, and will be celebrated at the Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 4.