Leila Mekacher has now physically received her award from the IAOTP (International Association of Top Professionals): The trophy honoring her as "Top Strategic Innovator of the Year in Inclusive Technologies 2026" has safely arrived from New York at her home in Germany. The honor recognizes her long-standing work at the intersection of technology and inclusion—from early projects in rehabilitation robotics to her current focus on immersive technologies such as VR/AR/XR and artificial intelligence, with the goal of creating equitable access to future skills and meaningful employment for autistic and neurodivergent people, learners, and teams. At the same time, she emphasizes the principle that innovation is only truly relevant if it is human-centered, accessible, and inclusive.
The award is closely linked to her work at Innoversa Factory GmbH and Innoversa gUG, which focus on inclusive, immersive solutions for education and employment. Leila Mekacher thanks Stephanie Cirami and the entire IAOTP team for the recognition and for helping bring international visibility to her work. She sees the trophy as an invitation to pursue the creation of inclusive learning environments with even greater determination, develop bold projects together with international partners, and continue demonstrating that immersive technologies can drive both technological progress and social value.
The outlook for 2026 is significant to her both professionally and personally. Although the award year is still ahead, her work to shape an inclusive future is already in full swing. She is particularly looking forward to the IAOTP gala evening at the Plaza Hotel in New York, where she will join other award recipients as well as international experts and executives. Looking back at previous galas has heightened her anticipation of celebrating the award in person and further deepening her exchange with colleagues from around the world.
