Across Alabama, innovation is being shaped, secured and scaled by a remarkable cohort of women whose work spans laboratories, classrooms, boardrooms and beyond. From advancing aerospace systems and cybersecurity to transforming agriculture, medicine and manufacturing, these leaders are solving complex problems with creativity and precision. They are building companies, guiding research, mentoring the next generation and strengthening communities along the way. Their impact reaches far beyond their respective fields, fueling economic growth and redefining what leadership in technology looks like today. Business Alabama is proud to recognize this group of Women in Tech — trailblazers whose expertise, vision and commitment are helping drive the state, and the world, forward.
DR. SYMONE ALEXANDER is an assistant professor of chemical engineering at Auburn University, specializing in converting real-world waste streams into high-value biopolymers and composite materials. She also is the founder of Shellulose, a biotechnology startup dedicated to producing low-cost, sustainable cellulose fiber from pecan shells, transforming an abundant agricultural byproduct into high performance materials. She leads a multidisciplinary team focused on biopolymer-based solutions for toxin remediation, gut health and soil health. Her work blends polymer science, process engineering and circularity to advance bio-based manufacturing. She completed her undergraduate work in chemical engineering at Howard University and has a Ph.D. in macromolecular science and engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
FLO BEHN is vice president for research administration and development at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, a nonprofit dedicated to using genomics to improve life. Her team supports all grant proposals, award administration and research infrastructure and services that facilitate the institute’s work in deciphering the role of DNA in rare disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as plant breeding and transformation to create resilient crops. Behn completed undergraduate work in biology at the University of Toledo in Ohio, received her doctorate in genetics from Stanford University in 2007 and completed an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship at the U.S. Agency for International Development in 2010. HudsonAlpha is based in Huntsville.
JULIE BELCHER is a quality engineering manager at Toyota Manufacturing Alabama, the Huntsville plant that produces four- and six-cylinder engines for seven North American-assembled Toyota vehicles and three differentials engineered to elevate Toyota’s trucks. At Toyota, Belcher has held leadership roles in engineering, tooling, maintenance and training. Belcher holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and master’s degree in engineering management from Rochester Institute of Technology. She is the president of the Huntsville Tech FAME Chapter at Drake State Community & Technical College.
JASMINE BOWERS is vice president, geospatial engineering at Uniti Fiber, a fiber provider dedicated to enabling mission-critical telecommunications connectivity across the United States. As of March 2026, Uniti owns more than 217,000 route miles connecting the major metro areas across 47 states. Bowers’ team focuses on the strategic implementation of new network and the geospatial protection of owned network driven by CAD operations, permitting, GIS operations and fiber engineering teams. Bowers earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing & management at Spring Hill College, where she was on the SHC Women’s Golf team. Working at Uniti Fiber for more than a decade has empowered her to understand the business’ macro approach. Her time on the links focuses her team to “aim small, miss small.”
MADISON CHAMBLISS is a systems engineer at Applied Technology Solutions Inc., where she supports nationally significant hypersonic testing. Chambliss graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics and performs multiple functions across ATS, including guiding complex technical designs through the full project life cycle, collaborating with government and contractor stakeholders. Chambliss is pursuing a Master of Science in Aerospace Systems Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She’s an avid tennis player, a volunteer for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities and a judge for Distinguished Young Women of Alabama. She also mentors students on her alma mater’s robotics team.
DR. CASEY EATON, assistant professor in industrial and systems engineering at Auburn University, leads research examining impacts on system design. Her work examines how things like novel technology, design goals or policies impact the people designing complex systems. Her NASA-funded research has received the Systems Engineering Research Consortium Barry Boehm Award and is the recipient of the the Wiley Systems Engineering journal’s Top Cited Article award. Prior to Auburn, Eaton was a principal research engineer and a systems engineer in Huntsville. Eaton is a three-time University of Alabama in Huntsville graduate, and has been awarded both an International Amelia Earhart Fellowship and an Alabama Space Grant Fellowship. Eaton’s work developing outreach at the annual Alabama Girls in Science and Engineering Day has been published by the American Society of Engineering Education.
BLAIR EURTON is senior systems engineer at Torch Technologies in Huntsville and serves as HWIL Missile Task Order program manager for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Center. In this role, she leads contract execution, financial management, compliance and cross-functional integration. Eurton is a seasoned technology leader with nearly four decades of experience advancing complex missile defense, Modeling & Simulation, and Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) programs. Throughout her career, she has worked on multiple programs supporting the warfighter, including Patriot, Arrow, Ground-based Midcourse Defense and Hardware-in-the-Loop labs. Eurton has served as program manager and deputy program manager on multiple contracts totaling more than $1.4 billion. Eurton holds an M.S. in engineering and a B.S. in materials engineering.
ALEXANDRA FISHER is a cybersecurity leader and network security specialist currently serving as boundary security operations manager for the state of Alabama’s Office of Information Technology. She leads security operations that protect critical public-sector infrastructure. Fisher’s career spans both managed services and large-scale government environments. A passionate advocate for women in cybersecurity, Fisher actively mentors emerging professionals and leads community-building efforts that connect women across the technology field. She also is developing initiatives designed to create early pathways for girls to pursue careers in STEM. Fisher is currently completing a Master of Science in cybersecurity and information assurance and remains committed to strengthening both the security and inclusivity of Alabama’s technology workforce. She, her husband and daughter live in Prattville.
FERNANDA FOERTTER is executive director of the High Performance Computing and Data Center at the University of Alabama, where she is leading the development of a new 40,000-square-foot facility. Opening in early 2027, the new center is designed to house the fastest computing system in the state, supporting research across critical areas such as water, materials, health and quantum technologies. A veteran of the Florida Army National Guard, Foertter previously held roles at Nvidia, Voltron Data and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she contributed to the Summit supercomputer project. She earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Florida International University and a master’s degree in materials science engineering from the University of Florida.
MARY BETH GRANT is the capital access program director at Innovate Alabama, the state’s public-private partnership dedicated to strengthening Alabama’s innovation economy. She leads statewide initiatives designed to expand access to venture capital and unlock private investment into Alabama startups and high-growth technology companies. At Innovate Alabama, she oversees the Capital Access Fund and Venture Studio, working with investors, founders, corporate leaders and economic development organizations to support the next generation of Alabama-based technology companies. A graduate of Wofford College, Grant moved to Alabama through a Venture for America fellowship. Prior to Innovate Alabama, she has worked within Birmingham’s biotechnology ecosystem, helping launch new ventures, support technology commercialization and advance innovation-driven economic development initiatives across the state.Â
CYNTHIA GRANT-BROWN is founder and architect of Express Trucking Logistics and the Alabama Smart Logistics Corridor Ecosystem, where her focus is on logistics, technology integration, freight continuity and regional infrastructure. A Brooklyn, New York, native, Grant-Brown was raised and went to school in South Carolina before moving to Alabama in 2005. Her experience includes leadership roles in operations, logistics, management and community-focused work, and her responsibilities have included organizing teams, solving problems and maintaining structure in fast-paced environments. Her hands-on experience in logistics and technology have shaped her approach to planning, structure and long-term logistics design.
KELLY GRIGGS is a research engineer IV with the National Poultry Technology Center (NPTC) at Auburn University, where she has worked for 10 years supporting the NPTC’s mission of providing applied research, workshops and operational expertise related to poultry housing, ventilation and equipment. Her research focuses on water-quality issues that contribute to evaporative cooling pad problems faced by producers across the poultry industry. In addition to her research, Griggs leads and assists in developing hands-on technology demonstrations and teaches using these demonstrations during NPTC workshops attended by poultry industry technicians and professionals, with a strong commitment to making industry technology easy to understand and practical to use.
DR. SUHASINI GURURAJA is a professor of aerospace engineering at Auburn University and a leader in advanced materials research for aerospace and manufacturing applications. She directs the Advanced Materials and Processing Laboratory, where her team develops next-generation lightweight materials and innovative manufacturing methods to improve the safety, durability and performance of engineering structures used in aircraft, energy systems and transportation. Gururaja’s work has been supported by major industry and government partners, including NASA, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Honda and the U.S. Army. Gururaja earned her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle, a master’s degree in structural engineering from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Gururaja is deeply committed to mentoring students and expanding opportunities for women in engineering and technology.
ALLIE HARVILLE is an upgrades operations engineer for Airbus in Mobile. Airbus is a global aeronautics and space company, providing products, services and solutions for the commercial aircraft, helicopter, defense and space sectors. In her current role at the Mobile Engineering Center, Harville manages overall project status, risk mitigation and key deliverables for a complex portfolio of Aircraft Cabin Engineering projects. Prior to advancing in her career at Airbus, Harville served as a U.S. Naval Officer and instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power School, mastering the ability to lead and innovate under pressure. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Alabama.
KIM CAUDLE LEWIS is CEO of ProjectXYZ Inc., which she started in 2002 serving clients as an information technology consultant. ProjectXYZ, based in Huntsville, has become an industry leader providing engineering, logistics, information technology and alternative energy solutions and employing people across the U.S. and internationally. ProjectXYZ is the recipient of a number of recognitions, including being named the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Woman-Owned Business of the Year. In 2025, Lewis and her husband, Larry Lewis, were named the Alabama Small Business-persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Lewis has served on a number of boards and is the president of the board for the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.
ELIZABETH LUNDEY is a library media specialist and technology coordinator at Auburn High School, where she oversees the deployment and management of more than 2,200 student iPads and nearly 350 faculty devices, leads professional development on instructional technology and drives district-wide technology initiatives at the school level. Lundey also serves as an adjunct instructor at Auburn University, teaching media for children to undergraduate and graduate students. Her community leadership includes serving as president of the Friends of the Auburn Public Library, and she is a former Auburn Public Library board president. Among her recognitions, Lundey received the Herman Moore LAMP Award of Exceptional Service and was named Auburn High School Teacher of the Year.
EDWINA MUSANTE is the founder and CEO of Cortina Solutions LLC, an award-winning small business providing advanced engineering, analytical and professional services to defense and aerospace customers. Musante holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a graduate certificate in systems engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She brings more than 20 years of experience in the engineering and defense sectors, with a career spanning roles at industry leaders including Boeing, Teledyne Brown Engineering and Raytheon. As CEO, she is known for building high-performing teams, fostering strong customer partnerships and maintaining a commitment to quality, integrity and operational excellence. Outside of work, Musante enjoys boating and spending time with family and friends at Smith Lake.
CINDY NELSON is the manager of clinical and research applications for the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute in Mobile. In this role, she leads health-system–wide application initiatives supporting oncology chemotherapy regimens, radiation treatment and cancer staging across both the outpatient and inpatient care settings. Her work centers on leveraging data analytics to optimize electronic medical record documentation, business intelligence, clinical events and patient outcomes. Nelson develops and implements informatics solutions that include data structures, system interfaces and clinical decision-support mechanisms to facilitate effective management of patients, health care professionals, information exchange and research initiatives within the care environment. Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of South Alabama in 1991.
NEHA POTNIS is an endowed associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University, leading a research team that aims to understand plant-microbe interactions to improve plant health. Her research investigates ecology and evolution of plant pathogenic bacteria that cause diseases in vegetable crops. Potnis, who has been at Auburn University since 2016, is committed to training the next generation in computational biology skills and in applications to address biological questions. Potnis has been conducting a summer research program for high school students and continues to provide high-impact research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in her program.
MISSIE SMITH is an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at Auburn University, where she directs the Cognitive Engineering and Context Lab. Her research integrates human factors, cognitive engineering and human-computer interaction to understand how emerging technologies, particularly augmented reality, wearable AI and intelligent in-vehicle systems, shape human information processing, attention allocation and decision-making under real-world constraints. Smith’s research in human factors and immersive technology has been published, and she serves in national and international leadership roles. Her contributions have been recognized through a series of competitive honors and awards, including being named to Reveille 25 by Mississippi State University, which honors 25 high-achieving alumni under the age of 40 for exceptional professional accomplishment, leadership and service. Smith has mentored more than 160 early-career researchers and is committed to developing inclusive, high-impact research environments that prepare students for leadership in academia and industry.
DR. GIA WIGGINS is a seasoned human resources executive, entrepreneur and national speaker with a 27-year career in HR management. A Mobile native, she holds a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Grambling State University, an MBA from California State University and a Ph.D. in business administration with a concentration in management from the University of South Alabama. Wiggins, who has held HR leadership roles at major organizations, is the founder of Morale Resource LLC, an HR compliance consulting firm, and Auditocity, an HR compliance and best practices auditing platform that leverages technology to simplify and strengthen organizational compliance. Auditocity was selected for the Techstars Anywhere national cohort. Wiggins and Auditocity have been featured in Entrepreneur.com’s Real Entrepreneur series, and she was a featured panelist for Inc. Magazine’s Black Tech Week Founder House in 2022.
DR. ELIZABETH A. WORTHEY is a director and associate professor of genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a nationally and internationally recognized leader in computational genomics and precision medicine. She is director of the Center for Computational Genomics and Data Science and the Biological Data Sciences Institutional Research Core, associate director of the Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute and director of bioinformatics for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Shared Resource. For more than two decades, Worthey has led the development and application of innovative computational tools and algorithms designed to extract clinically actionable knowledge from large-scale genomic and clinical datasets. Under her leadership, her team has developed and used software platforms that have contributed to the diagnosis of more than 5,000 patients with rare, misdiagnosed or previously undiagnosed diseases.
This story originally ran in the May 2026 issue of Business Alabama magazine.
