Leanne Kemp, Queensland Government’s Chief Entrepreneur, has won the Outstanding Achievement Technology Award at the 2020 Women in Technology Awards.

Ms Kemp is The Queensland Government’s Chief Entrepreneur and was among 440 nominations across 14 categories. As an engineer and technologist, Ms. Kemp is renowned for her use of blockchain technologies to provide investor security by tracing the origins and authenticity of high-value items such as diamonds and art.

As well as serving as the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, Ms Kemp has worked at the United Nations, OECD, World Economic Forum, Global Blockchain Business Council, World Trade Board and the IBM Blockchain Board of Advisors. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology and a two-time patent holder. A multiple business and technology award winner, Ms Kemp has a keen understanding of the challenges faced by women in technology and mentors many in the field to push aside barriers and achieve greatness.

The prestigious WiT Awards recognise outstanding talent and achievement, building support for women working in science and technology, and inspiring the next generation of leaders by showing what is possible – a feat that Ms. Kemp has embodied through her mentorship and support of other women throughout her career.

Women in Technology (WiT) President Dr Claudia Giurgiuman said although 2020 had been a challenging year, “the show had to go on”. “With the devastating economic impact of COVID-19, harnessing our female talent and skill has never been more crucial, so this year, more than ever, the awards show had to go on. Many women are doing amazing work, and these awards are about giving them the recognition they deserve.” Although the event was virtual, attendees had the same opportunity to network, mingle, and support the work done by these incredible finalists through the online event platform.

Readers also enjoyed our story about Mela Cook. 

Leanne Kemp, at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020, Photo by WiT Queensland

Leanne Kemp Everledger CEO, Photo by IBM Systems Magazine

Leanne Kemp at Economic Forum, Photo by Natural Intelligence

.