WOMEN IN 3D PRINTING INNOVATOR AWARD 


TCT are pleased to be collaborating with Women in 3D Printing  for the sixth year to present the TCT Women in 3D Printing Innovator Award 2026. This award recognises women who are at the pinnacle of their profession, leading the charge in developing, enhancing and  innovating within the 3D printing and additive manufacturing world.

We will soon be launching the public nominations where we will invite you - the 3D printing and additive manufacturing community - to put forward nominations of women who you believe deserve recognition for their innovation in AM.    All nominees will then be considered on individual merit by WI3DP and TCT who have the difficult task of whittling them down to a list of finalists.  

The finalists will be announced during a live panel session with all finalists to hear about their journeys with AM that have led them to success.  This event will open the public vote to decide on which inspiring finalist deserves to win, and the ultimate winner will be announced at the TCT Awards ceremony - this year taking place on the 14th April 2026 in Boston, MA, USA during RAPID + TCT! 



2025 AWARD WINNER JONNE MESSER

Global Additive Manufacturing Lead at Ford Motor Company

Jonné Messer serves as the global additive manufacturing lead at Ford Motor Company with nearly 30 years at the company. Messer rose through the ranks from manufacturing apprentice and in 2017 Messer and a colleague explored the potential of 3D printing, sparking a transformation at Ford’s Sharonville Transmission Plant’s manufacturing capabilities. Their initiative resulted in millions of dollars in savings and established STP as Ford’s North American 3D printing hub.

Messer holds numerous industry certifications and accolades, and has been recognized with a Ford Motor Company Technical Excellence Award. Committed to knowledge sharing, she leads tours and demonstrations to both internal Ford employees and external companies, as well as mentoring high school students in additive manufacturing.

See Jonné's Acceptance speech at the TCT Awards ceremony 2025!


PREVIOUS WINNERS


Brigitte de Vet is the CEO at Materialise, a global leader in 3D printing software and services, taking over from co-founder Fried Vancraen on January 1st, 2024. But it was the work that Brigitte achieved prior to this that gained her the title of TCT WI3DP Innovator Award winner 2024.

Brigitte served as Executive Vice President of Materialise Medical, which develops software and 3D printing solutions that help improve patient outcomes, and under her leadership, the medical segment grew to become the company’s fastest-growing and most profitable business segment.

See Brigitte's Acceptance speech at the TCT Awards ceremony 2024!

Alba Gonzalez has over 9 years of industrial, academic and hospital experience - during which time she has developed hundreds of implantable medical devices with the use of 3D printing technology, and has also pioneered virtual surgical planning, additive manufacturing of different biomaterials and surgical navigation technologies in healthcare.

Alba took the opportunity during her acceptance speech to thank all those who have contributed to her incredible work in the field of medical engineering.


See Alba's Acceptance speech at the TCT Awards ceremony 2023!

Eliana Fu was educated at Imperial College, University of London with a Masters and PhD in Materials Science. Eliana also performed post-doctoral research at Loughborough University (UK) and Clemson University (USA).

After working extensively in the Traditional Manufacturing world, with TWI then TIMET and SpaceX, she turned her attention to Additive Manufacturing at SpaceX and then with Relativity Space as Senior Engineer: Additive Technologies. Eliana then joined TRUMPF as Industry Manager, Aerospace & Medical.

She served as an advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Advanced Manufacturing Committee. She is also the Women in 3D Printing Ambassador for Las Vegas and is also on the Technical Advisory board of Hyperion Metals. Eliana has written a book based on her experiences as a female engineer at SpaceX.


See Eliana Fu's Acceptance speech at the TCT Awards ceremony 2022.

Active in 3D printing research since 2004, Professor Wai Yee Yeong has created multiple frontiers in 3D printing, taking the leads in 3D Bioprinting, electronics printing and metal printing research. Currently serving as Program Director at the Singapore Centre in 3D Printing (SC3DP), Wai Yee has contributed more than 130 technical papers, generating more than 3000 citations, and co-authored 2 textbooks.

As an educator, Prof Wai Yee Yeong continues to improve the care of students as the Associate Chair (Students) at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NTU. Besides her own research and innovation achievements, she is determined to create new generations of innovators in 3D printing.