The Security Industry Association (SIA) has honored five outstanding leaders in the biometrics field as recipients of the 2025 Women in Biometrics Awards. This year’s awardees—Lena Abdelahad (HID), Kristen Halligan (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), Vanessa Pires (Control iD), Kelli Tippett (U.S. Secret Service), and Nicole Williams (EY)—represent a diverse range of expertise across biometric identity technologies, forensic science, access control, and government identity services.

The winners will be formally recognized at the 2025 Identity and Biometrics Symposium on December 3 at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Each awardee has made significant contributions to advancing biometric innovation within government, commercial, and public-sector applications.

Lena Abdelahad has spent nearly two decades at HID, where she now leads the Biometric Identity Technologies division, overseeing global solutions including facial recognition and authentication technologies. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation, strategic partnerships, and industry adoption of key standards such as SIA’s Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP).

Kristen Halligan serves as a biometric program specialist and law enforcement liaison at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM). She plays a pivotal role in coordinating biometric services and strengthening identity-based decision-making for frontline personnel across DHS and its partners.

Vanessa Pires, channel sales director at Control iD, has guided the company’s growth in access control and facial identification technologies. Over her 11-year tenure, she has built high-performing teams, expanded national sales channels, and helped position Control iD as a leading name in the market.

As laboratory director for the U.S. Secret Service Forensic Services Division, Kelli Tippett oversees critical forensic operations and co-founded the agency’s Biometric Capabilities Integrated Project Team. Her work has significantly advanced forensic science and strategic planning for emerging biometric modalities, including DNA analysis.

Nicole Williams, managing director at EY, drives identity-centric modernization initiatives for DHS. A recognized expert in biometrics and border security, she has led major innovation and communication efforts supporting DHS missions, including during and after EY’s acquisition of Dignari.

SIA CEO Don Erickson praised the group as “an inspiring class of leaders driving change and innovation across biometrics and identity services.” He highlighted their contributions to improving safety, security, and mission readiness across government and industry.

For the first time, the Women in Biometrics Awards will be presented during a special ceremony at the Identity and Biometrics Symposium—an event that brings together government and industry experts to discuss the future of identity management and critical mission applications.