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The Bletchley Institute is proud to honor the Q1 2025 cohort of award winners, recognizing exceptional professionals who have made significant strides in their careers. These awards celebrate individuals for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields, with winners selected based on their innovation, leadership, and dedication to excellence.
This cohort represents a diverse group of professionals, each excelling in fields ranging from software engineering to data science, user experience design, and game development. With winners from all over the globe, we celebrate their outstanding achievements, innovative contributions, and dedication to their craft.
Innovation at its Core
At the heart of every breakthrough is innovation—an idea, a concept, a solution that changes the way we approach challenges. This quarter’s award winners epitomize the essence of innovation in their fields, bringing fresh perspectives and bold ideas to the table. Whether they’re pioneering new technologies, creating user-centric designs, or shaping the future of digital platforms, these individuals are driving the change we need to see in the world. By continuing to push boundaries, they embody the Bletchley Institute’s core mission: to recognize and inspire innovation that leads to excellence.
A Global Showcase of Talent
This quarter’s winners hail from a wide range of backgrounds, including 12 different schools and 3 continents. With representation from the United States, Australia, and Europe, the global impact of the Bletchley Institute is evident. We are particularly proud to spotlight the diversity of this cohort, with many awardees hailing from underrepresented groups, reinforcing our commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable community. These winners are making waves in industries all over the world, leveraging their unique perspectives and experiences to create more inclusive, impactful solutions that stand out in today’s competitive landscape.
Honoring Early Career Trailblazers and Ascenting Professionals
The Bletchley Awards are divided into two categories: the Ascent Award and the Trailblazer Award. The Ascent Award recognizes individuals with five or more years of experience who continue to excel and grow within their fields. The Trailblazer Award celebrates individuals in the first five years of their careers who have already made a significant impact.
In this quarter's cohort, 13 individuals have earned the Trailblazer Award, while 7 have earned the Ascent Award, reflecting their continued commitment to excellence and growth. Whether they’re starting their careers or already reaching new heights, these individuals exemplify the innovative spirit that is the foundation of progress in their industries.
Meet the Winners
Trailblazer Award Winners:
- Adam Schroeder (Community Manager, Plotly, United States)
- Avery Brown-Gathings (Software Engineer, Lowe's, United States)
- Catherine Williams (UX Designer, Freelance, United States)
- Filzah Shafiq (Software Engineer and Mastery Quest winner, United States)
- Francisco Munoz (Satellite Communications Operator, US Army, United States)
- John Erler (Software Engineer III, Bakkt, United States)
- Justin Shanklin (Consultant, Self-employed, United States)
- Laura Miller (Analytics Consultant and Mastery Quest winner, United States)
- Mason Barnes (Software Engineer and Mastery Quest winner, United States)
- Nitant Bhagat (Software Engineer and Mastery Quest winner, United States)
- Samuel Ou (Software Engineer and Mastery Quest winner, United States)
- Zachary Eanes (Student and Mastery Quest winner, United States)
Ascent Award Winners:
- Benoît Puech (Software Developer, Capgemini, France)
- Kedasha Kerr (Developer Advocate, GitHub, United States)
- Linda Ramos (Software Engineer, GoodRX, United States)
- Randy Rajaram (UX Designer, AWS, United States)
- Shanon McKenzie (Founder, Ground Zero Digital, Australia)
- Stefan Kość (Software Engineer, Warsaw Stock Exchange, Poland)
- Yiyi Zhang (Game Developer/Board of Directors, GUMBO Collective Inc., United States)
Join Us in Celebrating
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award winners. Your dedication, innovation, and exceptional contributions continue to inspire the community. You are not just shaping the future of technology, design, and creativity—you’re reimagining it. As you continue to push boundaries, we are excited to watch your journeys unfold.
Together, we can dare mighty things, continue to foster a community of excellence, and drive the future of innovation forward.
Congratulations once again to all our outstanding award winners!
The Bletchley Institute Team
