When CE Pro introduced its inaugural 40 Women to Watch list in 2024, the goal was to recognize some of the many women professionals who, for decades, had not always received their rightful due in the consumer electronics and custom integration industry.
The response to the program quickly reinforced what many across the channel already knew: women are helping drive nearly every corner of the modern smart home market. From integration firms and manufacturers to marketing agencies, distribution, operations, education, and leadership roles, women throughout the industry are playing a critical role in shaping the future of custom integration.
For the 2025 Women to Watch list, CE Pro evolved the program to make it even more community-focused. Rather than relying solely on editorial selections, the program introduced a dedicated selection committee that included female industry professionals helping provide additional insight into the nominees and the broader impact they’ve made within the channel.
Related News: Submissions for the 2026 CE Pro Home of the Year Awards Open & 2026 CE Pro BEST Product Awards Now Accepting Submissions
The 2025 Women to Watch selection committee included CE Pro staff along with Maryellen Oswald of Somfy, Sarah Dresher of Luxury Integrated Technologies (LIT), and Katye Bennett of KMB Communications.
In evaluating nominees, the committee considered several factors, including each professional’s impact within the industry, contributions to their employers and peers, overall career accomplishments, leadership potential, mentorship, advocacy, and long-term influence on the channel.
The resulting Class of 2025 showcased a diverse and influential group of professionals representing many facets of the smart home business, including leaders from companies such as Savant, Crestron, Kaleidescape, Josh.ai, HTSA, Somfy, AVPro Global, D-Tools, LG, Boston Automations, Hunter Douglas, and many others.
The program also expanded beyond the magazine itself, with CE Pro and Emerald introducing a dedicated Women to Watch panel at CEDIA Expo 2025 on the Smart Stage, helping continue important conversations around leadership, opportunity, mentorship, and career growth within the technology integration industry. The panel will once again take place at this year’s Expo on Sept. 3, again on the Smart Stage.Â
Now, CE Pro is opening nominations for the 2026 Women to Watch list.
What is the criteria of a CE Pro Woman to Watch?
We are seeking nominations for women making a meaningful impact across the custom integration and smart home industry, whether through leadership, innovation, business growth, technical expertise, mentorship, education, advocacy, or operational excellence.
Nominees may come from any area of the industry, including:
- Custom integration firms
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Marketing and public relations
- Design and architecture
- Sales and business development
- Project management and operations
- Industry associations and education
If you know someone helping move the industry forward, now is the time to recognize their contributions.
How to Submit a Nomination for the 2026 CE Pro Women to Watch
To submit a nomination for CE Pro’s 2026 Women to Watch, please send the nominee’s name, title, company, professional biography, accomplishments, and a high-resolution headshot to the CE Pro editorial team by filling out this form.Â
