Northeastern Honors 31 Trailblazers with 2025 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards

• 31 recipients chosen for Northeastern University's 2025 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards
• The awards honor individuals who are creating an impact through innovative ventures
• The initiative recognizes and advances female-led and gender-diverse innovation

31 Northeastern students, alumni, and entrepreneur-affiliated alumni have been chosen as the winners of the university's 2025 Women Who Empower Innovator Awards, which recognize innovative leaders that are driving change through startups in health, tech, sustainability, and social innovation.

The awards are unique in that they aim to empower the individual who brings the innovation — through directly funding entrepreneurs instead of companies. This strategy not only seeds venture development but also creates a strong network of support for emerging leaders.

Now in its fifth year, the program has invested over $1.8 million in Northeaster’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. To commemorate this milestone, the program has introduced a nine-month Innovator Fellowship Program for award recipients and a Follow-on Fund to invest in prior winners with capital and strategic resources. The new fellowship experience, culminating in a global showcase in London in 2026, focuses on mentorship, global networks, and career development.

This year’s awardees represent diverse fields, including AI, health tech, social enterprise, and sustainability. Highlights include Claire Beskin’s AI-powered cardiac care clinic (Empallo), Ceylan Rowe’s nonprofit for sustainable menstrual products (The Fihri Foundation), and Alexa McGovern’s kelp-based bioplastic venture (Dirigo Sea Farm).

AI and tech winners featured ventures such as Stephanie Golik’s Frontflip, an AI real estate companion, and Danielle Birchett’s wearable for predicting dystonia episodes. Under health and wellness, Sarah Martins' The Special Standard gives a unique speech therapy curriculum, and Marisa Sweeney's Be Well offers complete women's health care.

The recognitions also honored social impact initiatives such as Cassandra Friend's veteran-owned education consultancy (Kavalyn Custom Solutions) and Naomi Barrant and Ashleigh Chiwaya's student-centered curly hair care business (Nuly Root'd).

Sustainability award winners featured businesses that were redeveloping underutilized buildings and driving sustainable fashion. Outstanding recognition was given to students and alumni engaged on forward-thinking projects such as snowboard simulators, cultural immersion platforms, and media studios for social impact founders.

With more than 600 applications received since inception and 133 recipients selected to date, the Women Who Empower initiative continues to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of female-led and gender-diverse innovation. As Executive Director Betsy Ludwig noted, the program goes beyond funding to provide the networks and community essential for long-term impact, helping innovators tackle global challenges with sustained support and vision.