Celebrating the AI Specialist of the Year Finalists

Jun 13

AI Specialist of the Year Finalists 2025

AI is transforming the way we work, think, and create – and these specialists are leading the charge.
This year, we’re recognising the innovators harnessing AI to solve problems, spark progress, and make technology more accessible for all. Meet the finalists for AI Specialist of the Year.

Juliet Powell - Mercor Intelligence

About:
Juliet is a Generative AI and Product Strategy Consultant specialising in the ethical development and deployment of Large Language Models. At Cambridge University, she co-founded the AI Interest Group and led the university’s first AI Open Day, creating space for future leaders to engage critically with AI. Juliet’s work bridges innovation with impact, ensuring AI is built – and used – with purpose.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Juliet has played a key role in advancing ethical, enterprise-level AI, working directly on LLM development and research with leading labs like OpenAI. She combines deep technical expertise with a passion for inclusion – co-founding Cambridge Judge’s AI Interest Group and leading its first AI Open Day to give more women a voice in the future of tech. Her work is shaping AI that’s not only powerful, but fair, transparent, and built to serve everyone.

Roisín Bennett - MarketingMentors.AI

About:
Roisín Bennett is a three-time startup founder and AI strategist dedicated to helping SMEs grow through practical, ethical AI. With a background in marketing and deep expertise in automation and GPT development, she built her company to make advanced AI tools accessible to everyday businesses. Roisín is known for turning complex AI into real-world results – empowering hundreds of business owners to adopt AI with confidence and impact.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Roisin has made AI real, accessible, and actionable for small business owners – especially women and underrepresented founders. Through MarketingMentors.ai, she launched an assessment scorecard and delivered hands-on training and implementation support designed specifically for SMEs. She’s grown a huge LinkedIn following by showing up daily with practical, inclusive content, and consistently uses her platform to open doors for others.

Katrina Young - Aggregator Digital Media and KYC Digital

About:
Katrina Young is an award-winning AI strategist and founder. With over 25 years’ experience, she has developed 155+ AI tools supporting startups, SMEs, and enterprise clients across strategy, product development, backend systems, and innovation auditing. She also delivers technical training, leads enterprise workshops, lectures at UAL, and supports public sector organisations with ethical, scalable AI implementation.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Katrina has consistently positioned herself at the forefront of AI innovation as a qualified futurist, digital strategist, and ethical tech consultant. From reducing inefficiencies for global SMEs to helping underrepresented founders grow six-figure businesses, Katrina delivers real impact. Her mission is clear: to use AI as a force for equity, creativity, and sustainable global growth – helping those who’ve historically been left out of the conversation.

Tara Elzingre - Tara Elzingre Consultancy

About:
Tara is the founder of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, where she helps small and medium businesses across Ireland and the UK simplify AI and digital strategy. She delivers hands-on AI training, builds custom GPTs, and develops practical growth systems that cut through jargon and hype. Tara makes digital innovation accessible, ethical, and genuinely useful for real businesses, not just big tech.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Over the past year, Tara has supported thousands of founders with confidence-led AI training, accessible tools, and honest guidance – giving them the skills to grow without overwhelm or tech gatekeeping. Clients report an average of six hours saved per week after adopting the systems she delivers. Her work challenges hype and hustle culture, replacing it with clarity, trust, and tangible outcomes. Tara’s approach is changing how small business owners see themselves in the future of tech.

Fi Williams - Fife Council

About:
Dr. Fi Williams is Workforce Strategy & Organisational Development Manager at Fife Council, leading work across staff development, AI guidance, and person-centred digital evolution. She developed the council’s AI ethics guidelines and learning pathways, empowering staff to use AI as a supportive tool. Fi also leads community initiatives tackling digital exclusion across Scotland, ensuring technology serves everyone.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Dr. Fi Williams stands out for leading AI innovation rooted in purpose, inclusion, and lived experience. Her Workplace Buddy App supports neurodivergent staff with personalised, adaptive AI – offering support from recruitment to retirement. Inspired by her own experiences as a parent and researcher, Fi's work bridges technology and human need, proving that AI can drive real workplace inclusion. Her human-centred approach, recognised across multiple awards, exemplifies how women in tech are reshaping innovation for social impact.

Azahara Corrales - AC

About:
Azahara Corrales is an international public speaker and AI specialist. With a background in paid media and digital marketing, she has spent years integrating AI-driven strategies into marketing campaigns. Azahara helps businesses and professionals – especially women – embrace AI to drive innovation and efficiency.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Azahara is not just using AI, she’s reshaping how professionals, especially women, understand and apply it. Through international speaking engagements, AI-powered tool development, and her upcoming book, she’s making AI accessible, practical, and empowering. From demystifying AI at major conferences to creating inclusive content and building support networks for women in tech, Azahara is closing the technology gap and inspiring a new generation of confident AI adopters.

The Digital Women Awards are proud to celebrate these extraordinary individuals.