Pierce to be recognized at the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs' Annual Gala
Philadelphia PA – September 16, 2014 – IT trailblazer Fran Pierce, President and CEO of Data Systems Analysts, Inc., will receive the Iris Newman Award at the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs’ (AWE) Annual Gala on Monday, November 17, at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.
AWE presents the Iris Newman Award each year to a woman who exhibits a trailblazing spirit in her respective field and provides strong leadership and support in the entrepreneurial community.
Pierce began her career in 1963 in information technology at Ford Aerospace when most women's careers were strictly limited to secretarial work and related clerical functions. Forging ahead despite gender-bias barriers and against social norms, she built her career in information technology. Today, with Pierce at the helm, Data Systems Analysts has grown to four regional offices with over 180 employees, and between 2009 and 2012, realized significant revenue growth from $40.6 million to $90.4 million. A former member of the AWE Board of Directors, Pierce has been a fierce advocate for increasing the number of women and girls in the fields of technology and science.
“Fran's incredible story and her dedication to supporting other women who strive to rise to the top are inspiring demonstrations of her visionary, pioneering spirit and passion for high-growth women entrepreneurship,” says Elaine Jones, Chair of the Iris Newman Award Nomination Committee and Pfizer’s Executive Director of Venture Capital.
About AWE
AWE promotes the expansion of women-led and women-owned businesses with high growth potential through education, networking, mentoring, and exposure to investment resources. Founded in 1996, AWE is the mid-Atlantic region's largest organization dedicated to supporting high-growth businesses founded or led by women. Through its educational and networking events, AWE fosters relationships within the entrepreneurial community to identify, cultivate, and inspire women entrepreneurs. We are proud of our members, many of whom have founded and led innovative ventures that have resulted in significant return on capital for investors.