At TechNite 2022 technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and companies were honored at an awards ceremony for their contributions to the thriving Roanoke-Blacksburg tech sector. Winners included Wendi Pannell, this year’s Regional Leader Award recipient!

Wendi was recognized for her success in the workplace, and her leadership in contributing significantly to the RBTC community. Wendi serves as the chairwoman for RBTC’s Women in Technology (WoTech) committee and is passionate about creating a supportive, empowering space for women in tech. She is a highly accomplished business, technology, and change management leader with a history of transforming operations through a combination of people, processes, and systems.

Throughout her career, she has made an impact in the planning and delivery of large-scale programs and facilitating cross-functional teams to realize new organizational visions. Her superpower lies in communicating insightful, data-driven recommendations that serve as the foundation for progressive change. She demonstrates her passion through coaching, growing, and influencing others in a fast-paced, executional culture, and maintaining high velocity.

She makes time for building the village for women in technology within the New River Valley as well as her three boys, three dogs, and husband in Blacksburg, VA.

Here’s more about Wendi, in her own words.

Where is your alma mater and what did you study?

Virginia Tech, Management Science and Information Technology Class of ’99 

How long have you been a member of/involved with RBTC?

I’ve been a part of RBTC for 3 years. When I moved to Blacksburg, I immediately got involved.

What does it mean to you to win the Regional Leader Award at TechNite?

Holy cow! I am so honored to be on the list with the other nominees and humbled that I was awarded. I am also thrilled that this gives more visibility to my passion around building a village of women in technology. I’m hoping this will afford me more platforms to use my enthusiasm for the continued growth of our technology community right here in our beautiful area.

What inspires you most professionally?

This is a great question! I get inspired everyday by women that are transparent about the good and the bad in their lives, by women that follow their hearts, and those that challenge the status quo. I’m equally inspired by people that stand up for others and constantly lift others up.

All-time favorite hype song?

“Badass Women” by Meghan Trainor is my current wake-up song.

Tell us a fun fact about you!

I have a tattoo of my 3 boys first initials in binary on my wrist, combining my love of data and kids. My husband is still wondering when I’ll add his initial!

Anything else we should know?

I am so excited about the synergy that is happening in our area around technology and biotech. What I would love to see is more of our teams—our hands on keyboards members—at more events. The only way we will build a stronger IT community is to do it together. Leaders, invite your teams to attend more RBTC events, help them find their village, encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, and GROW.