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Women In Leadership: Hermina Johnny Is Challenging Who Gets To Build The Digital Economy

Austin Tang — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:57:57 +0000

The digital economy loves to talk about innovation. It talks far less about access.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, tech valuations soar, and governments race toward digital transformation, one question sits uncomfortably beneath the headlines: Who is being prepared to participate—and who is being systematically left out?

Hermina Johnny is not interested in incremental change. She is interested in structural correction.

Born in Saint Lucia and shaped by years of living and working across the United States and Europe, Johnny has positioned herself at the intersection of education, economic strategy, and gender equity. As Founder and Executive Director of the Aspire Artemis Foundation, she is working to redesign the pipeline into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)—with a deliberate focus on girls and underrepresented communities.

And she is unapologetic about the stakes.

“Digital transformation without intentional inclusion doesn’t close gaps—it widens them.”

From Global Policy To Ground-Level Access

Johnny’s academic background spans international relations, economics, anthropology, and international law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College and completed an LL.M. in International Law and International Relations in Brussels, later pursuing research in constitutionalism and fundamental rights.

But rather than remaining in policy circles, she moved toward execution.

Global development frameworks routinely articulate commitments to equity. Yet implementation often stalls at the structural level. Johnny saw that disconnect firsthand.

So she built an institution designed to close it.

Education As Economic Infrastructure

Through the Aspire Artemis Foundation, Johnny develops STEAM-focused leadership programs, global symposia, and digital literacy initiatives that go beyond exposure. The organization integrates arts into STEM disciplines—not as decoration, but as strategic design—training young people to think adaptively in a workforce defined by rapid change.

Her framing is deliberately economic.

STEAM education, she argues, is not a social side project. It is workforce architecture.

“If education isn’t treated as infrastructure, we shouldn’t be surprised when opportunity collapses under pressure.”

Under her leadership, the foundation has convened programming connected to international development discussions and United Nations–related venues, reinforcing a simple but disruptive thesis: innovation ecosystems that exclude women are economically inefficient.

The conversation, she insists, must shift from representation optics to structural preparation.

Encouragement is not a strategy. Infrastructure is.

Small States, Global Systems — And Female Leadership

Johnny’s work also challenges geographic bias in global innovation narratives. Participation in forums linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN General Assembly, and the ECOSOC Science, Technology and Innovation Forum places her within high-level policy discussions.

At the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4), debates centered on resilience and connectivity. For Johnny, the message was direct: small island nations cannot diversify their economies without digital capability.

And digital capability does not appear spontaneously. It is built—intentionally.

As a woman leader from a small island state, Johnny’s presence in these arenas disrupts two assumptions at once: that innovation leadership belongs to large economies, and that systems change is driven primarily by traditional power centers.

“Geography should not determine destiny. Neither should gender.”

Strategy Meets Execution

Before founding her nonprofit, Johnny built experience in business strategy and legal advisory work, including corporate and intellectual property matters. That foundation shapes her leadership style—analytical, cross-sector, and systems-focused.

But she refuses to operate solely at altitude.

She continues to teach and develop educational materials, maintaining direct engagement with learners. The result is rare: a leader equally fluent in boardroom strategy and classroom realities.

In conversations about women in technology, she pushes back against surface-level diversity narratives.

Representation without preparation, she argues, sets women up to enter systems that were never designed for them to succeed.

Structured pathways, market-aligned skills, mentorship networks, and institutional accountability are non-negotiable.

The Real Leadership Test

The digital economy disproportionately rewards early exposure and sustained access. Johnny’s work is built around intervening before exclusion calcifies into inevitability.

By positioning STEAM education as both an equity imperative and an economic growth strategy, she reframes inclusion not as charity—but as competitiveness.

In her view, the most dangerous myth in innovation culture is that talent naturally rises.

Talent rises when infrastructure supports it.

“The question isn’t whether women can lead in technology. The question is whether systems are willing to evolve fast enough to make room.”

In the expanding landscape of women in leadership, Hermina Johnny represents a category of leader that is increasingly impossible to ignore: not symbolic, not peripheral—but systemic.

She is not asking to be included in the digital economy.

She is helping decide who gets to build it.

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CES 2026 Latest, Katlean de Monchy

Austin Tang — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:21:37 +0000

Listen to “CES 2026 Latest, Katlean DeMonchy” on Spreaker.

This year we are finally SERIOUSLY talking about flying cars…. and cloning ourselves —at least to answer annoying emails—

and we’re talking about robots that clean your stairs and cars that drive themselves and eyeglasses that do about 5 super-cool things you never thought they could do.

And all that buzz is coming from CES, the giant electronics show in Las Vegas this (past) week!

Here’s a snapshot from tech and fashion correspondent Katlean de Monchy.

#KatleandeMonchy #CES2026

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What’s up with China?

Austin Tang — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:44:55 +0000

An upside for investors, at least in tech, so says Jonathan Krane, who runs NY-based asset management firm KraneShares with specialized funds for humanoid robots, AI, climate-tech and more with a China spin. He fielded some tough questions from my Silicon Dragon group in NYC with CIG about future prospects for China’s global ambitions, trade and tariffs, and US-China geopolitical conflicts over rare earth minerals, EVs, batteries, energy, and the supply chain.
Also, we had a briefing on a high-drama fictional book, Attacking the Dragon, written by attorney Andrew Ross.
Thanks to Larry Miao of BDO for hosting us!
cc: Steve Schuster, Jason Hsu, Jenifer Grant, Joshua Dube, John Delmar, Robert Haddock, Elizabeth Wang, David Dempsey, WQ Brothers, John Allen ++

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Next up: China NY Times

Austin Tang — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:57:36 +0000

Cheap green tech exports out of China are starting to substantially change the economic development trajectory of some countries, Somini Sengupta and Brad Plumer report from Belém.

“China has sought to cast itself as a pillar of global stability,” they write, “particularly after the Trump administration said it would withdraw the United States from the annual climate talks.”

The result is that drivers in countries like Vietnam, Nepal and Ethiopia are opting for electric vehicles over combustion engines, and places all over the world have begun installing solar arrays made with Chinese equipment.

(We’ve been reporting all year about China’s clean energy boom, including how it’s leaving the U.S. behind in nuclear development, clean energy patents and building out ultra high-voltage power lines. Read more from our series.)

Yet much of China’s clean tech manufacturing boom has been powered by a parallel expansion in coal, so its emissions have continued to increase.

But the rapid pace of China’s clean energy installations may be flattening that curve: its emissions are projected to rise by just 0.4 percent this year, or even fall slightly, Plumer reports.

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World Talent Economy Forum Institute: Empowering the Next Generation of Global Leaders

Austin Tang — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:05:46 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh –— The World Talent Economy Forum Institute (WTEFI) proudly announces its official launch as a pioneering global platform dedicated to advancing education, entrepreneurship, and innovation-driven economic development. Founded by Professor Dr. Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana, the Institute serves as a hub for thought leadership, policy dialogue, and talent development to address 21st-century challenges in business, technology, and sustainability.

Building upon the success of the World Talent Economy Forum, the Institute aims to connect global experts, policymakers, and young innovators to co-create actionable solutions that promote inclusive growth and equitable opportunities. Its programs include leadership development, CEO training, startup incubation, and international collaboration on frontier technologies such as AI, renewable energy, and digital finance.

“The World Talent Economy Forum Institute is committed to transforming talent into action. We believe that education and innovation are the twin engines for creating a sustainable and equitable global economy,” said Professor Rana, Founder and President of the Institute. “Through global partnerships and research-based initiatives, we seek to empower future leaders to drive meaningful change.”

The Institute also plans to host annual global dialogues, leadership summits, and innovation bootcamps across Asia, Europe, and North America. Its collaboration with universities, governments, and private enterprises will accelerate research and capacity-building for emerging economies.

About the World Talent Economy Forum Institute
The World Talent Economy Forum Institute (WTEFI) is a global initiative dedicated to fostering innovation, leadership, and sustainable economic transformation. Its mission is to empower individuals and institutions with knowledge, skills, and networks to build resilient, inclusive societies.

https://www.youtube.com/@wteforum1212/streams

https://wteforum.org/

https://wtefi.org/

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Julia @ NYC Climate Week, talks about her Technology Water Purity

Austin Tang — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:57:10 +0000

Listen to “Julia @ NYC Climate Week, talks about her Technology Water Purity” on Spreaker.

#Julia

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AgeTech + Accessibility at CES 2026 By Steve Ewell ● Sep 25, 2025

Austin Tang — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:25:09 +0000

Listen to “AgeTech + Accessibility at CES 2026 By Steve Ewell ● Sep 25, 2025” on Spreaker.

AgeTech + Accessibility at CES 2026

By Steve Ewell ● Sep 25, 2025

Smart Brevity^® count: 2.5 mins…668 words

The arrival of fall means CTA is in full swing planning for CES 2026, and I’m excited to share an early preview of AgeTech and Accessibility content we’ll showcase in Las Vegas. These two areas of innovation provide independence and connection for older adults and people with disabilities.

This newsletter is your guide to all things aging and accessibility at CES 2026 — from program highlights to how to get involved onsite in Las Vegas.

Sincerely,

Stephen Ewell

Executive Director, Consumer Technology Association Foundation
Vice President, Accessibility and AgeTech, CTA

sewell@CTAFoundation.tech
www.CTAFoundation.tech

NEW Accessibility Stage at CES 2026 Presented by Verizon Accessibility

Accessibility Stage

Partnering with Verizon, the Foundation is creating a new stage dedicated to accessibility at CES 2026.

CES features a significant amount of accessibility sessions, but this stage will give the content greater visibility in a central location.
The stage location is The Venetian Convention Center lobby, just outside the entrance to Halls A-D (level 2).
The stage will operate for the three busiest days of CES – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — and feature multiple sessions highlighting a wide range of accessibility topics.
Each session will also be recorded and shared for later viewing on CES.tech.

We are accepting sponsored sessions now!

CTA Foundation 8th Annual Pitch Competition Presented by Next50

Pitch Comp

This high energy, engaging event is designed to kick‑start collaborations that will drive the future.

Our Pitch Competition is a live event showcasing lifechanging tech, which surmounts challenges faced by older adults and people with disabilities.
Startup companies pitch to a live, standing-room only audience at the Eureka Park Startup Stage, while fielding tough questions from a panel of expert judges on how their innovation can make an impact.
Winning companies (Judges and Audience Choice) will receive monetary awards and a highlight on the Accessibility Stage.

CTA Foundation Health Innovation Challenge Presented by WITH Foundation

Innovation Health Challenge

The CTA Foundation Innovation Challenge asks consumer technology companies to leverage their products to solve challenges faced by those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).

This program will particularly target the needs of working age adults (18-64) who developed a developmental disability before the age of 21 and are seeking more independence and control in their healthcare.
The event incorporates the IDD community by hosting a roundtable, followed by a pitch event, during CES.
The winning companies receive monetary awards, and a highlight on the Accessibility Stage, for their unique solutions to challenges faced by the IDD community.

Accessibility Roundtable Presented by Salesforce

Accessibility Round table

The CTA Foundation’s invite-only Accessibility Roundtable facilitates connections between accessibility advocates, nonprofits, government representatives and industry leaders, allowing them to problem solve and leverage #tech4good.

The roundtable’s goal is to advance conversation – and partnerships – on key challenges that advance inclusivity.
To accommodate as many advocates and supporters as possible, the event expanded in 2025 to a record attendance of 125 attendees.
In 2026, we are hoping to expand the programming even further, utilizing a breakout format that allows for a deeper dive on more topics.

Eureka Park Accessibility Contest

Eureka Park

The Eureka Park Accessibility Contest gives US and Canadian based start-ups focused on accessibility the opportunity to win a spot in Eureka Park and receive recognition for their technology solutions.

This will be the 10^th year of the popular contest, and prior awardees include Aira, Good Maps, GoVoBo, WHILL, WeWalk and Xander.

Accessibility & Aging Reception

Accessibility Reception

Join us on opening night of CES to shine the spotlight on accessibility and AgeTech.

This reception is an open invitation to all attendees at CES interested in accessibility and aging solutions.
The well-attended evening event, complete with food and drinks, helps kick-off the first day of CES.

To learn more about supporting any of these events, visit our online prospectus . Or send me an email to set up a time to chat more about how your company get involved in aging and accessibility at CES.

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China Technology!!

Austin Tang — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:57:10 +0000

Listen to “China Technology!!” on Spreaker.

#China #Technology #Influence #ChinaTechnology #ChinaTech

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ESG Today: Week in Review

Austin Tang — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:44:19 +0000

This week in ESG news: EU Council approves delay of sustainability reporting regulations; ING becomes first major bank with approved science-based financed emissions targets; PwC study finds vast majority of companies are keeping – or raising – climate goals; SEC walks away from climate reporting requirements; Airbus commits to build hydrogen-powered planes; ISSB launches new tool to help regulators adopt sustainability reporting standards; Lululemon partners to develop sustainable materials for products; new sustainable finance standards proposed for SMEs; energy giants commit more than $700 million for carbon capture project; capital raises for carbon accounting software, building decarbonization tech, green steel, sustainable agriculture solutions, and more.

See below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:

CTA Foundation News

Austin Tang — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 17:05:17 +0000

By Steve Ewell ● Feb 19, 2025

Smart Brevity^® count: 2 mins…567 words

The CTA Foundation celebrated an incredible CES^® 2025, highlighting accessibility innovation and collaboration. From assistive devices to smart home solutions, CES showcased cutting-edge technologies empowering people of all abilities and reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to a more inclusive future.

Keep reading to learn about some exciting announcements we have to share:

Meet the CES 2025 Innovation Challenge Winners
Inside the CTA Foundation Accessibility Roundtable: Key Takeaways from CES
Startup Innovation Takes Center Stage in Eureka Park Pitch CompetitionStartup Innovation Takes Center Stage in Eureka Park Pitch Competition
And More!

As always, thanks for your support.

1. Innovation Challenge Highlighted Digital Healthcare Solutions

The CTA Foundation kicked off CES 2025 with the Innovation Challenge, focusing on improving digital healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Finalists Eyedaptic, MapHabit, ONSCREEN, Inc., and VIF showcased their solutions on stage, with ONSCREEN, Inc. taking the top prize for its technology designed to empower individuals with IDD in managing their healthcare.

2. Bringing Leaders Together: Accessibility Roundtable and Reception

More than 120 attendees, including disability advocates, industry leaders, and innovators, gathered for the Accessibility Roundtable to discuss assistive devices, inclusive design, and accessible technology solutions.

Organized in collaboration with CTA’s Government Affairs, Technology & Standards teams, and the new Accessibility and AgeTech Working Group, the discussion set the tone for the week.
Later, the Accessibility & AgeTech Reception provided a valuable networking opportunity for advocates and industry professionals to continue conversations and explore collaborative solutions.

3. Startups Took Center Stage in the Eureka Park Pitch Competition

Nine startup finalists took the stage for the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition, presenting innovative AI-powered solutions that enhance health and accessibility.

MakeSense Technology won the Grand Prize for “The Vector,” an AI-powered navigation device for individuals with low vision.
Sign-Speak and Voinosis were recognized as runner-up and Audience Choice winners for their groundbreaking technologies.

4. Media and Funders Tours Showcased Accessibility Innovation

The CTA Foundation brought accessibility innovation to the spotlight at CES 2025 with two exclusive tours:

Accessibility Media Tour: Journalists met the winners of the Eureka Park Accessibility Contest — Blueberry Technology Inc., Lotus, MakeSense Technology, Sign-Speak, and Soliddd Corp.These companies showcased groundbreaking tech, ranging from real-time sign language translation to haptic navigation devices. The tour concluded with a final stop at Amazon’s CES exhibit, where attendees explored the company’s latest accessibility initiatives.
Funders Tour: Sponsors and supporters got a firsthand look at cutting-edge assistive technologies. This tour highlighted the impact of industry collaboration and investment in assistive tech, reinforcing the importance of continued support in driving innovation and inclusion.

5. #GivingTechDay Doubles Donations from Last Year!

Thank you to the individuals that shared #TechGives stories, and the 34 individuals who generated $15,200 in funding to turn #GivingTuesday into #GivingTechday for the CTA Foundation. We are humbled by your support and generosity and look forward to turning your charitable gift into accessibility for all ages in 2025!

6. Thank You to our 2024 Industry Partners

CTA Foundation would like to instead a warm thank you to those in the consumer technology industry who have directly supported our mission last year and help put accessibility at the forefront of CES.

Go deeper: Interested in joining our partners, participating in our Industry Partner Council, and championing accessibility and aging tech? Contact nzundel@ctafoundation.tech to learn more.

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