XR Women Shines at the 6th Polys Immersive Awards
If you needed proof that the XR Women Global community is helping shape the future of immersive technology, look no further than what happened at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan on Sunday, March 22, 2026. The 6th Annual Polys Immersive Awards — presented by the Academy of Immersive Arts & Sciences — brought the immersive industry together for a night of recognition, and XR Women members were everywhere you looked: behind the scenes, on the red carpet, at the podium, and taking home awards.
Ashley Coffey stepped into the role of Red Carpet Host, following in the footsteps of XR Women co-founder Sophia Moshasha, who held the role for five previous editions. The evening also marked a transition at the helm, as Renard Jenkins took over hosting duties from Julie Smithson, who guided the show through its first five years. Both Sophia and Julie were honored with video tributes during the ceremony, a fitting acknowledgment of the outsized role XR Women members have played in building the Polys into the premier industry event it is today.
The wins and honors for XR Women members were wide-ranging. Athena Demos took home Entertainment Experience of the Year for Burnersphere, presented by none other than Julie Smithson, herself an XR Women co-founder. It was a full-circle moment that didn't go unnoticed: Athena is a longtime XR Women member and a past XR Women award winner, making Julie the perfect person to hand her that trophy.
Ada Rose Cannon received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her foundational work stewarding WebXR at the W3C, work described by colleagues as having shaped the immersive web's inclusive, stable foundation. Christi Fenison and her partners at Cause+Christi Immersive XR Design won Game of the Year for Ship Happens. Nonny de la Peña was named Ombudsperson of the Year, recognized for her ethics-driven approach to immersive journalism. And Shika Duncan (JoyReign) and her partner Jeremy Duncan (JDun) received the Community Honor for their tireless work evangelizing XR and building representation within the space.
The XR Women footprint extended well beyond the stage. Alison Morano served as the event’s Ambassador, opening the show. Courtney Harding presented the Education Experience of the Year Award, which included nominee Dr. Jane Harrington for MicrobeXR. The production itself relied on XR Women members: Elena Piech directed the show, with Carol Silverman and Beth York in production roles and Helen Lundstrom Erwin providing essential support. And for those who couldn't make it to New York, Paige Dansinger hosted a virtual watch party on the Engage platform — because XR Women are everywhere.
Note from Editor: Karen Alexander, Co-Founder of XR Women, who wrote this article, has also played an instrumental role in The Polys every year since its inception (but was too humble to mention herself - so I am!
