‘Rising Star’ Priyanka Komala is ready to ‘soar like an eagle’

Priyanka Komala, technology director of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS), has been named a “Rising Star” finalist in the 18th annual Women in Technology Leadership Awards.

Women in Technology is a D.C. nonprofit whose goal is “advancing women in technology.”

“This year’s WIT Leadership Award finalists have been chosen from the largest pool of entries we’ve had to date and represent some of the most accomplished women in the Washington-region technology industry,” said WIT President Kathryn Harris.

See the finalists

Komala has served as NAS tech director since February 2009. She’s in charge of leading and managing the digital strategy and technological operations for a $30 million division. When asked how she feels about being named a “Rising Star” finalist, Komala shared words from her dad: “Soar like an eagle, and never look back.”

The “Rising Star” award honors a woman with 10 years or less of work experience with high potential for future advancement, according to WIT.

Winners will be announced at the Leadership Awards Gala on May 11 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Reston, Va.