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ARLINGTON, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The [ March of Dimes ] and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ([ AFCEA NOVA ]) today announced finalists for the 12^th Annual [ Heroines in Technology Awards Gala ].The event will honor the significant contributions of women in the technology community including government, nonprofit and commercial organizations for their outstanding commitment to community service.

The 2012 Heroines in Technology finalists include:

• Anne Altman, general manager, Global Public Sector, IBM Corporation
• Crystal Cavalier, special assistant to the chief of staff, government agency
• Sarah Chu, project coordinator, Society for Womenas Health Research
• Belinda Coleman, president, The Coleman Group, Inc.
• Lynn DeCourcey, vice president and general manager, Cyber Security, NJVC
• Bev Godwin, Director, federal citizen information Center, government agency
• Dawn Halfaker, president & chief executive officer, Halfaker & Associates, LLC
• Kerry Hancock, business development manager, Convergence Technology Consulting
• Lisa Kazor, chief executive officer & president, Savantage Solutions
• Lynda Mann, vice president, Performance Solutions (AOC) and co-founder & president of the board (YouthQuest), AOC Solutions, Inc. and The YouthQuest Foundation
• Sandy Peavy, assistant director/Chief information officer, government agency
• Kristi Powlovich, senior information assurance analyst, US Army, PEO EIS
• Lynette Spano, chief executive officer & president, SCI Consulting
• Pamela Thornton, principal healthcare advisor, The MITRE Corporation
• Amanda Tiede, vice president, Cassidy Turley
• Alison Wittich, marketing strategy & analysis associate, Sapient

The finalists will be honored and winners will be announced at the black-tie awards program on Friday, November 9, 2012, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. The evening will include dinner, music, dancing, live and silent auctions as well as the awards presentation.

Winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Rising Heroine
• Individual Heroine
• Corporate Heroine
• AFCEA International Government Heroine
• Lifetime Achievement Heroine

In addition, woman-owned or woman-run companies will be recognized for their extraordinary dedication to local service or philanthropy.

Proceeds from the evening will support local [ March of Dimes programs ] around research, community services, education and advocacy to reduce the occurrence of birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Since 2001, the event has raised over $1.4 million to support the March of Dimes mission of saving babies.

The Heroines in Technology 2012 Silver Technology sponsor is Intel. Additional sponsors include AFCEA International, DC Magazine, Federal News Radio, FedScoop, Sapient, SmartCEO Magazine and Transportation Systems, Inc. To learn more about the event, visit [ https://www.marchofdimes.com/marylandmetrodc/events/events_HerionesAwards12.html ].

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit [ marchofdimes.com ] or [ nacersano.org ]. Find us on [ Facebook ] and follow us on [ Twitter ].

About AFCEA NOVA

The Northern Virginia Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association ([ AFCEA NOVA ]) is partnered with the March of Dimes in support of the Heroines in Technology awards program. AFCEA fosters an ethical dialogue between industry, government and academia on the effective use of technology.