The patron of the ZEISS Women Award 2025 was once again astrophysicist, author and astronaut candidate Dr. Suzanna Randall. In her opening speech, she emphasized the importance of female role models, especially in the STEM field, and the need to motivate young women to pursue science and research: “We need to give girls and women more visibility, especially in the STEM field. In addition to great initiatives such as the ZEISS Women Award, this includes each and every one of us publicly recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of other women. Sometimes the mission is bigger than yourself.”
As a keynote speaker, author and entrepreneur Tijen Onaran also reported on her personal experiences and challenges on her career path and “why courage is the key to a self-determined and independent life”, said Onaran, who is also known to many in the audience as an investor on the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”.
Three categories, three award winners
The awards recognized outstanding scientific work, projects and initiatives in the categories Digital Research, Digital Entrepreneurship and Digital Social Impact. Dr. Bettina Friedl from ZEISS paid tribute to the award winners: “For ZEISS, diversity is the key to success. Both as a social organization and from an entrepreneurial perspective. We know that different perspectives are the basis for innovative strength and competitiveness. That’s why we specifically support initiatives that help to increase the proportion of women in STEM degree programs,” says Dr. Friedl.
The winners of the ZEISS Women Award 2025:
- Mara Schilling-Wilhelmi received the award in the Digital Research category.
- The award in the Digital Entrepreneurship category went to Dr. Fatemeh Farokhmanesh.
- Nina Wiedemann was honored for Digital Social Impact.
The event was hosted by Yasmin Al-Douri, winner of the ZEISS Women Award 2024 in the Digital Entrepreneurship category.
About ZEISS
ZEISS is a leading global technology company in the optical and optoelectronic industry. In its four divisions Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology and Consumer Markets, the ZEISS Group most recently generated annual sales of around 11 billion euros (September 30, 2024).
ZEISS develops, produces and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and therapy in ophthalmology and microsurgery for its customers. ZEISS also stands for the world’s leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. ZEISS branded products such as ophthalmic lenses, photographic lenses and binoculars are sought-after and trendsetters worldwide.
With a portfolio geared towards future growth areas such as digitalization, health and Industry 4.0 and a strong brand, ZEISS is helping to shape technological progress and is advancing the world of optics and related areas with its solutions. The basis for the success and further continuous expansion of ZEISS’ technology and market leadership is the sustained high level of expenditure on research and development. ZEISS invests 14% of its revenue in research and development work – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is equally an investment in the future.
With more than 46,500 employees, ZEISS is active in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development locations and 35 production sites worldwide (March 31, 2025). Founded in Jena in 1846, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The sole owner of the parent company, Carl Zeiss AG, is the Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest German foundations for the promotion of science.
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Further links
👉 www.zeiss.de
Photo: ZEISS
