Trailblazing South African educator Nadine Smith has been awarded the prestigious 2025 EDGE in Tech Athena Award for Early Career Leadership, recognising her groundbreaking work in transforming STEM education and making it more inclusive and accessible.
Nadine Smith, a Coding and Robotics educator at ADvTECH, South Africa’s leading private education provider, was honoured by the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) at the University of California. The international award was presented during a special ceremony at UC Berkeley, where Smith stood out as the only recipient from Africa, and her recognition marks a proud moment for the country.
Nadine Smith, Coding and Robotics Educator, ADvTECH, South Africa
She was one of just four global recipients of the award, which celebrates individuals leading the charge in creating more diverse, equitable, and impactful technology ecosystems.
This year’s EDGE in Tech Athena Award recipients include:
• Executive Leadership: Susan Lyne, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, BBG Ventures
• Academic Leadership: Isabel Montañez, Distinguished Professor and Chancellor’s Leadership Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Davis; Director, UC Davis Institute of the Environment
• Early Career Leadership: Nadine Smith, Coding and Robotics Educator, ADvTECH, South Africa
• Graduate Student Leadership: Zhe Fu, Doctoral Student in Transportation Engineering, UC Berkeley
“It is incredibly important to recognise the people doing the difficult work of expanding access to essential tech fields,” said Jill Finlayson, Managing Director of the CITRIS Innovation Hub, which oversees the awards.
“Those who champion on-ramps into STEM, fair workplaces and welcoming cultures are critical to the development of innovative technologies and help ensure that new solutions will work well for everyone.”
Desiree Hugo, Academic Head at ADvTECH Schools, says the group was very proud of Smith.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Nadine Smith for her well-deserved 2025 EDGE in Tech Athena Award. Her passion for empowering students through coding and robotics education is transforming lives and inspiring a new generation of innovators. We are incredibly proud of Nadine’s global recognition and her unwavering commitment to making STEM accessible and inclusive for all,” Hugo said.
Reflecting on the award, Nadine Smith said: “I believe every child deserves to see themselves in STEAM. Through coding and robotics, I strive to ignite confidence, curiosity, and creativity in learners, especially those who don’t yet realise they belong in tech. This award is not just a personal milestone, but a reminder of the importance of creating inclusive learning spaces where all young minds can dream, build, and lead.”
Smith, who also leads EdTech initiatives and trains fellow teachers in integrating emerging technologies, has been widely recognised for her leadership, innovation, and commitment to education transformation in South Africa and beyond.
