33 Northeastern entrepreneurs supported by 2024 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards

The recipients — students and alumni from the Northeastern community — were selected by a panel of judges and will receive a total of $500,000 in funding.

The Innovator Awards, now in their fourth year, have provided more than $1.32 million in funding to over 100 changemakers.

The awards are unique in that the money goes to the individual entrepreneur, not their venture, with the intent of investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and offering them the network of support they need to be successful.

More than 100 applications were received this year as the program was expanded to include the Roux Institute Founder Residency program and the Lab of Inclusive Entrepreneurship.

“Our students and alumni never cease to impress, inspire and energize me,” says Diane Nishigaya MacGillivray, Northeastern’s senior vice president for university advancement and founder of Women Who Empower. “This group — our current and past innovator recipients — truly represent the best of Northeastern. We are honored to invest in them and work together to create a community driven by impact. Their success has a halo effect — enriching all that we do. I could not be prouder to claim them all as Women Who Empower Innovators.”

For nearly 10 years, Women Who Empower has been building a global, inclusive and dynamic community through events, scholarships, mentorship programs and entrepreneurial initiatives.

The women in the 2024 Innovator Awards cohort represent Northeastern’s global reach, hailing from the U.S. and U.K. to Nigeria, Hong Kong, Nicaragua and Vietnam. They also span the entire spectrum of Northeastern’s academic offerings, representing every college at the university.

Organizers are already looking ahead to the fifth cohort of Women Who Empower Innovators next year and Women Who Empower’s 10th anniversary with global celebrations and plans for even greater impact ahead.

“This program supports founders with more than critical financial capital — it also provides networks and community,” says Betsy Ludwig, executive director of Women’s Entrepreneurship at Northeastern. “The power of these connections can sometimes be overlooked, but it’s what makes all the difference.”

The panel of judges included several parents of current and former students. Some, like Jill Bornstein, have been with the program since the Women Who Empower Awards began.

“This is my fourth year being a judge. It’s so inspiring to see the work of our applicants … to see how this program has grown,” she says.

Parent Julietta Dexter says it’s an honor to be part of the Women Who Empower community.

“I want to thank Northeastern for making this a possibility,” she says.

Sharon Wong, another parent, says “90% of entrepreneurship is about courage.”

“The courage to hang on to an idea, the courage to listen to your instincts and … the courage to believe in the value of yourself,” she says. “There is so much courage here that I’m blown away.”

And parent Asha Chandra congratulated all 33 award-winning entrepreneurs.

“The ideas all of you have … the inspiration, the perseverance, the passion, the grit, and the resilience it showed in everything that you’re doing,” she says.

2024 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards

Leadership Award for Empowering Creative Communities

Winner: Marissa Mullen

College of Arts, Media and Design

Class of 2015, New York

That Cheese Plate: A global community for cheese plate inspiration, pairings, recipes and tutorials

AI Powering Innovation and Impact Award

First place: Calypso Newman

Northeastern University London

Class of 2021, London

Rock Badger: An innovative consultancy that partners with its clients to develop the opportunities of emerging media, using technology including artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality

Second place: Rachel Cossar

Roux Institute at Northeastern University

Founder Residency, Boston and Portland, Maine

Virtual Sapiens: Uses artificial intelligence to help professionals and teams master their presence and communication at scale so they can effectively develop trust and show up with confidence in our new world of work

Third place: Becky Mashaido

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2022, Oakland, California

KiAsili: Reimagining the future of an inclusive beauty industry using science and artificial intelligence

Third place: Mariana Charakopoulou Travlou

College of Science

Class of 2019, Athens and London

Nous Health: A digital platform that allows you to connect with a mental health professional by reducing barriers to accessing mental health support and using artificial intelligence to enhance treatment outcomes

Powering Diverse and Inclusive Communities of Belonging Award

First place: Ashley Cummings

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

MBA, Class of 2009, New York

Natural ASH: An all-natural skincare line catering to women in their reproductive years

Second place: AJ Addae

College of Science

Class of 2020, Los Angeles

SULA LABS: A business-to-business beauty innovation lab that closes inclusivity gaps in beauty product development

Third place: Samantha Asprelli

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Class of 2026, Boston

Give n’ Glow: A 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers underprivileged women to see past their circumstances and recognize their worth and beauty through new and gently used product donations

Powering Global Change Award

First place: Cheuk Yan Tse (Kat)

College of Arts, Media and Design

Class of 2024, Boston, London, Hong Kong

Terms and Conditions: A fashion wellness magazine based in London and Hong Kong that starts deeper conversations in the creative world while supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs

Second place: Violetta Skittidi

Northeastern University London

Class of 2019, London

Formulaw: A platform that assists SMEs in managing their contractual affairs from start to finish, offering an affordable, efficient and hassle-free experience

Third place: Claudia Tobar

College of Professional Studies

Doctor of Education, Class of 2020, Pichincha, Ecuador

Kamina: A revolutionary financial wellbeing platform that provides a comprehensive solution with advisory, access and assessment, committed specifically for women and non-banked individuals

Powering a Healthy Tomorrow Award

First place: Meaghan St. Marc

College of Arts, Media and Design

Class of 2010, Boston

Rev’d: An athletically challenging, body-changing experience, all about you

Second place: Muskaan Gill

College of Engineering

Class of 2026, Los Altos Hills, California

Zor: A non-invasive and portable device that will predict epileptic seizures

Third place: Naomi Rajput

College of Science

Class of 2026, Boston

CareWallet: A point-of-sale system that exchanges health information between patients and providers in 3 seconds

First place: Kadesh Simms

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Classes of 2001 and MBA 2008, Holbrook, Mass.

Wishing Well: A mobile app that provides financial resilience through group economics in underserved communities, one shared goal at a time

Second place: Michelle DeBlois

Roux Institute at Northeastern University

Founder Residency, Lewiston, Maine

ReMo: A web-based platform for independent reading that empowers students to grow their identities as readers and supports teachers’ efforts to connect with their students through reading

Third place: Hayley Oleksiak

College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Class of 2018, Philadelphia

Open Space Sandbox: A website tool that empowers communities to co-design their parks and open spaces through gamification

Powering a Sustainable, Resilient World Award

First place: Melissa LaCasse

Roux Institute at Northeastern University

Founder Residency, Boston

Tanbark: Plastic-free, planet-friendly solutions, pushing the limits of molded fiber design

Second place: Debbie Madueke

D’Amore-McKim School of Business, College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Class of 2019, Oakland, California, and Nigeria

Replast: A recycling company that aims to solve plastic pollution in Nigeria

Third place: Darrel Schreiner

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2022, Los Angeles

Cake Denim: Redefines the denim landscape by intertwining cutting-edge sustainable technologies with a deep commitment to inclusivity, offering not just eco-friendly jeans but a statement of change

Third place: Dominique Schreiner

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2022, Boston

Cake Denim: Redefines the denim landscape by intertwining cutting-edge sustainable technologies with a deep commitment to inclusivity, offering not just eco-friendly jeans but a statement of change

Students and Alumnae Awards

Undergraduate students

First place: Samantha Asprelli

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Class of 2026, Boston

Give n’ Glow: A 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers underprivileged women to see past their circumstances and recognize their worth and beauty through new and gently used product donations

Second place: Cheuk Yan Tse (Kat)

College of Arts, Media and Design

Class of 2024, Boston, London and Hong Kong

Terms and Conditions: A fashion wellness magazine based in London and Hong Kong that starts deeper conversations in the creative world while supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs

Third place: Naomi Rajput

College of Science

Class of 2026, Boston

CareWallet: A point-of-sale system that exchanges health information between patients and providers in 3 seconds

Honorable mentions:

Muskaan Gill

College of Engineering

Class of 2026, Los Altos Hills, Calif.

Zor: A non-invasive and portable device that will predict epileptic seizures

Nicole Guadagno

College of Engineering

Class of 2025, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.

Remetra: A wearable medical device that measures inflammatory markers through sweat and transmits the data collected to a mobile platform for tracking and analysis

Aleena Jacob

Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Class of 2024, Danbury, Conn.

HMS MEDscienceLAB Forensics: Immersing students in murder mysteries, engaging students with innovative pedagogy as they collect evidence, analyze samples and tackle forensic analysis at the lab bench

Manvi Kottakota

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2026, San Jose, Calif.

Jot: A note-taking platform that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning for seamless organization and effortless retrieval

Sofia Urrutia

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Class of 2024, Severna Park, Md.

Palmarosa: A Latina-owned accessories brand with roots all over the world

Emily Zeledon

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Class of 2026, Boston and Nicaragua

Las Mujercitas: A socially conscious coffee venture empowering women coffee producers in Nicaragua

Graduate students

First place: Mary DeVega

College of Professional Studies

Class of 2022

Northeastern University School of Law

Class of 2025

San Francisco

MPowered: A staffing firm dedicated to empowering women through training and professional development

Second place: Hannah Kim

Bouvé College of Health Sciences

Class of 2028, Boston

Bok Bok: Enhancing health and supporting holistic homeostasis free from artificials through naturally fermented K-Balsamic Vinegars

Third place: Kerrian Johnson

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

MBA, Class of 2025, Boston

Fruit Juice Studio: Elevating Black, women-owned brands — blending market research, consumer psychology and creative ideation to drive brand success and visibility

Honorable mentions:

Linh Dinh

College of Professional Studies

Class of 2025, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

ATURE: Bridging the gap between Asian SMEs and global markets

Rama Doddi

College of Professional Studies

Class of 2024, Boston and Vizag, AP, India

RegPulse: Identifying the regulatory “pulse” of small to mid-lev pharmaceuticals, medical devices and biologic industries and provide solutions for their regulatory concerns

Experienced Alumnae

First place: Kaitlin McCarthy

College of Engineering

Class of 2009, Boston

Ionic Development, Co.: A real estate development and consulting firm to affect positive change through development in the Greater Boston area, as well as to promote women in real estate development and ownership

Second place: Marissa Mullen

College of Arts, Media and Design

Class of 2015, New York

That Cheese Plate: A global community for cheese plate inspiration, pairings, recipes and tutorials

Third place: Meaghan St. Marc

College of Arts, Media and Design

Class of 2010, Boston

Rev’d: An athletically challenging, body-changing experience, all about you

Honorable mentions:

Ashley Cummings

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

MBA, Class of 2009, New York

Natural ASH: An all-natural skincare line catering to women in their reproductive years

Kadesh Simms

D’Amore-McKim School of Business

Class of 2001, MBA 2008, Holbrook, Mass.

Wishing Well: A mobile app that provides financial resilience through group economics in underserved communities, one shared goal at a time

Graduate Alumnae

First place: Becky Mashaido

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2022, Oakland, Calif.

KiAsili: Reimagining the future of an inclusive beauty industry using science and artificial intelligence

Second place: Claudia Tobar

College of Professional Studies

Doctor of Education, Class of 2020, Pichincha, Ecuador

Kamina: A revolutionary financial wellbeing platform that provides a comprehensive solution with advisory, access and assessment, committed specifically for women and non-banked individuals

Third place: Darrel Schreiner

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2022, Los Angeles

Cake Denim: Redefines the denim landscape by intertwining cutting-edge sustainable technologies with a deep commitment to inclusivity, offering not just eco-friendly jeans but a statement of change

Third place: Dominique Schreiner

Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Class of 2022, Boston

Cake Denim: Redefines the denim landscape by intertwining cutting-edge sustainable technologies with a deep commitment to inclusivity, offering not just eco-friendly jeans but a statement of change

Third place: Fatema Janahi

College of Engineering

Class of 2022, Bahrain

Palm: Value-driven shopping platform empowering women to express their identities through cultural fashion and uplifting local designers across the MENA Region through community

Undergraduate Alumnae

First place: AJ Addae

College of Science

Class of 2020, Los Angeles

SULA LABS: A Business-to-Business (B2B) beauty innovation lab that closes inclusivity gaps in beauty product development

Second place: Violetta Skittidi

Northeastern University London

Class of 2019, London

Formulaw: A platform that assists SMEs in managing their contractual affairs from start to finish, offering an affordable, efficient, and hassle-free experience

Third place: Debbie Madueke

D’Amore-McKim School of Business, College of Social Sciences and Humanities,

Class of 2019, Oakland, Calif., and Nigeria

Replast: A recycling company that aims to solve plastic pollution in Nigeria

Honorable mentions:

Calypso Newman

Northeastern University London

Class of 2021, London

Hayley Oleksiak

College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Class of 2018, Philadelphia

Open Space Sandbox: A website tool that empowers communities to co-design their parks and open spaces through gamification

Mariana Charakopoulou Travlou

College of Science

Class of 2019, Athens and London

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