HARRISBURG, PA – The Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania (TCCP) held its ceremony for the eighth annual Women in Tech Awards on September 25, 2024. It was a night of recognition for women who’ve made an outstanding difference and an outsized impact throughout Central Pennsylvania.
It was also a night to remember for Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) and its extended family. Two members of the HU community received well-earned accolades for their pioneering spirits and commitment to innovation and transformation in academia, industry, and local culture.
2024 Next Gen Award
After a competitive nomination period, just three women emerged as finalists for the 2024 Next Gen Award. Each year, the award recognizes an “up-and-coming young woman who is making a difference in technology in our region.” Ultimately, it was Christina Milano-Damaskos who took home the top honor.
Christina is the co-founder and CEO of Athlon, a youth wellness technology company and one of the earliest companies to be incubated in the Harrisburg University Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE). CIE was itself recognized earlier in 2024 as a finalist in the Central Penn Business Journal Nonprofit Innovation Awards.
Athlon was built on a commitment to ensuring incoming generations build healthy lifestyles while maintaining a sense of fun and optimism. The company’s flagship product is Rallee, a mobile app designed for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Styled as a “move-to-learn” app that “energizes the body and brain,” Rallee was designed alongside teachers, administrators, and students to help learners build their mental and physical resilience, instill an appreciation of mental health as a critical factor in life satisfaction, and build motor skills at a critical moment of development in their life.
Congratulations to Christina, Athlon, and CIE!
2024 Diversity & Inclusion Award
After a competitive nomination period, Kristin Lovett, MA, CPM, CSPO, who currently serves as Senior Program Manager for Penn Medicine, was named a finalist for the 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Award.
Kristin has served on the Industry Advisory Board for Harrisburg University’s Center for Project Management Innovation (CPMI) since January 2024. As a member of the Board, Kristin helps our University shape its Project Management curricula to be responsive to regional industry needs and to prepare HU students for success in the workforce. The Board remains focused on fostering interdisciplinary Project Management skills with a focus on integrating new technologies and delivering innovations.
The Diversity & Inclusion Award recognizes the finalists’ “active commitment to inclusion and diversity in technology” – a mission HU shares. Kristin is a forward-thinking leader with 14 years of experience in IT, operations, and communications. Her commitment to establishing equitable opportunities for students and professionals of color in STEM underscores her dedication to diversity and inclusion. Thank you for your service to our community and our University, Kristin!
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
