Hariri Institute Community Recognition Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Hariri Institute Community Recognition Awards!  This inaugural program recognizes Hariri Institute personnel whose contributions have been instrumental in helping to bring success to their team and to our organization. This program also aims to raise awareness of the important work that transpires, at all levels, within the Institute and broaden understanding of how personnel efforts help advance the Institute’s mission.

Distinguished Service Award
The highest honor bestowed by the Institute. This award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in their place of work, going above and beyond their job description to bring awareness to and advancing the Institute’s mission, while demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, collaboration and service.
Recipient​: Stephen Brown, Director, Finance & Administration, Hariri Institute
Finalists: Emily Johnson, Assistant Director, Grants Management​, Hariri Institute, and William Tomlinson, Director, Software & Application Innovation Lab (SAIL)

Student Excellence Award
The Student Excellence Award recognizes outstanding students (undergrad and graduate) who have made significant contributions to their areas within the Institute during their academic studies. This award is presented to students who have demonstrated a strong work ethic, exceptional skills, dedication to learning and development, and a commitment to excellence in their work.
Chris ChoSenior, Computer Science; Software Engineer Intern, Software & Application Innovation Lab (SAIL)
Julie Ha, PhD Student, Computer Science; Graduate Research Assistant, Faculty Advisor: Mayank Varia

Excellence in Service Award
This award recognizes the staff member who consistently provides exceptional service to clients, colleagues, and stakeholders of the Institute. Given to the individual who exceeds expectations when meeting the needs of others, while consistently demonstrating a track record of displaying a positive attitude and professionalism in their interactions.
Tara Moran, Senior Administrative Coordinator, Mass Open Cloud – Alliance
Christina Polyzos, Associate Director, Center for Information and Systems Engineering

Innovation Award
Recipients of this award have shown a dedication to innovation, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and bringing together diverse perspectives to solve complex problems in any area of their work/field. Through their work, they have exemplified the Institute’s commitment to fostering a culture of creativity.
Collin Bolles, Software Engineer, SAIL
Mayank Varia, Associate Professor, Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Award
This award recognizes staff who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This person has made efforts to create a more inclusive workplace, or who has supported and/or led diversity and inclusion initiatives within the Institute.
Katherine D’Angelo
, Assistant Director, Programs and Events, Hariri Institute

Team Player Award
This award recognizes staff who have demonstrated exceptional teamwork and collaboration. The ideal recipient is the staff member who has worked effectively with colleagues from their home and external departments, and who has contributed significantly to a project team where they championed for the demonstration of skills that led to successful team interactions.
Daniela Demaestri, Financial Manager, Hariri Institute