The Stevie® Awards are delighted to announce the five distinguished professionals who chaired the judging committees of the 2025 (6th annual) Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards competition.

The 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards, sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, are an international business awards competition that are open to all organizations in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa.  The focus of the awards is on recognizing innovation in all its forms.  

This year more than 1,000 nominations were considered in the judging process by more than 150 professionals, whose average ratings determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners who will be announced in in January. 

Stevie winners will be presented their awards at a gala banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, 22 February.

The five committee chairs were invited to chair based on their professional experience and expertise. Judging chairs helped to form their committees, each of which is comprised of other professionals from around the globe. Learn more about the Stevie Awards judging process here. 

Meet this year's judging committee chairs:

Corporate Communications/Public Relations & Publications Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Murat Avalin, Founder of CANVAS Strategy & Creativity, Istanbul, Türkiye

Murat Avalin is the founder of CANVAS Strategy & Creativity. He has over 25 years of experience in public relations and marketing strategies. He managed the communication strategies of leading companies and global brands in different sectors. 

His areas of expertise are public relations, strategic marketing, media relations, crisis management, leadership communications and digital communications. After graduating from Bosphorus University Physics and Philosophy departments, he completed the Strategic Marketing Program of Cornell University Johnson Graduate School, New York.

Human Resources & Individual Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Mayada Maged, Managing Partner of Staff Arabia HR Outsourcing /Group, Giza, Egypt

Mayada Maged, Managing Partner for Staff Arabia, is a leading HR Outsourcing Global Service Provider acting as a one-stop shop partner for Clients in all HR, staffing, payroll & personnel compliance outsourcing on 18+ countries. With more than 20 years of experience in the HR field and outsourcing industry, Mayada establishes and develops Human Resource teams and infrastructure for global companies such as Vodafone, Amazon, Concentrix, McDonald’s & Technip Italy & others to effectively support rapid business growth & her passion is always towards people development as the main asset of any organization & not only Business but also Social Corporate responsibility. With a career spanning two decades, she is at the forefront of modern HR practices, Bringing fresh ideas to the MENA outsourcing Market!

Mayada is Six Sigma and Balance Score card Certified, and a certified Entrepreneur by the American University in Cairo (AUC). She also holds a PGD in Global Management from Eslsca Business School Paris, and an HR Diploma from AUC, and she is currently obtaining her MBA Degree in Global Management. She always raises women empowerment & sustainability models all over the global activities, Performance Management, employee recognition & Business Management as well as strategic HR practices, and she is currently dedicated to scaling up the organization to Unicorn, practicing human resources in a variety of industries as well as volunteering on charitable activities, women empowerment communities, and with big achievements in Social Corporate responsibilities.

Management, Customer Service & Thought Leadership Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Dr. Feda Shahin, CEO, FIDELITY4ALL, Bournemouth, Dover, United Kingdom, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Feda Shahin is the founder and CEO of Fidelity4All, a consulting firm known for driving impactful, sustainable change. She previously co-founded Knowledge Horizon Ltd, growing it from a startup to a multi-million-dollar business with global reach.

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics, an MBA in Finance, and advanced research in International Finance at Warwick Business School, Feda has expertise in leadership, organizational development, corporate social responsibility, and excellence frameworks. She is an EFQM consultant and assessor for international awards. As an education consultant, Feda has worked with organizations like Cambridge International Examinations to design leadership programs and curricula. She has also tutored and supervised research at top universities. Feda has played an active role in Corporate Social Responsibility and entrepreneurship, supporting initiatives across the Middle East and globally. developed Cisco Entrepreneur Institute and has mentored women in technology through the TechWomen program, an initiative under Hillary Clinton’s leadership.

Bilingual in English and Arabic, Feda is recognized for her ability to combine academic knowledge with practical consulting experience to drive organizational excellence.  Her journey serves as an inspiration to women worldwide, proving that determination and resilience can break barriers and lead to success.

Marketing, Media (Apps/Events/Video/Websites) & Social Media Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Hitesh Bhogal, Marketing Leader for Nexus Insurance Brokers LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hitesh Bhogal is a seasoned marketing leader with over a decade of experience crafting strategies that drive growth through innovation, creativity, and precision. Currently heading marketing efforts at Nexus Insurance Brokers LLC, Hitesh excels in leveraging omnichannel approaches to create impactful campaigns, build brand equity, and drive customer engagement.

"Innovation paired with strategic creativity and precise execution unlocks unparalleled growth" is the philosophy that guides Hitesh’s professional journey. His expertise spans branding, strategic communications, content marketing, online sales, digital transformation, and customer lifecycle management. With a proven ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies and adapt to evolving trends, he designs seamless user experiences that connect brands with their audiences effectively. During his tenure at SALAMA, Hitesh played a pivotal role in launching high-performing campaigns, including the award-winning "Kind Beings of Dubai" initiative. His contributions helped SALAMA secure multiple accolades, including being named “Takaful Operator of the Year.” These achievements reflect Hitesh’s talent for combining strategic insights with creative execution, ensuring that campaigns meet and exceed business objectives.

Hitesh’s ability to simplify complex solutions is one of his standout strengths. In a world increasingly driven by digitalization, he collaborates with business teams to develop frameworks that prioritize clarity, impact, and efficiency. Whether through search and voice marketing, social media strategies, or e-commerce optimization, Hitesh’s integrated marketing expertise ensures success across platforms.  Academically, Hitesh holds a Master’s in Global Business with a specialization in Marketing Management from SP Jain School of Global Management and a B.Tech in Computer Science from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. This blend of technical knowledge and strategic insight positions him uniquely to address the demands of modern marketing.  As a mentor and industry advocate, Hitesh is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of marketing professionals. He believes in the power of collaboration and innovation to unlock new opportunities and consistently encourages teams to think outside the box to deliver exceptional results. Hitesh’s leadership and vision inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and celebrate the creative spirit that defines the marketing industry. His role in the Stevie Awards reflects his belief in the power of exceptional storytelling to connect, influence, and leave a lasting legacy.

New Product, Technology, and Sustainability Awards Judging Committee

Chair: Engr. Lana El-Tawil Ramdurai, Senior Specialist & Project Manager, Royal Scientific Society, Amman, Jordan

Eng. Lana El-Tawil, the Founder of Oswah Hasaneh Association and a Senior Specialist at the Royal Scientific Society, has a remarkable track record. She has served as the Head of the Project Management Division at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply and is based in Amman City, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  An expert in digital transformation and project management, Lana is a true local talent. She has extensive expertise in project management and sustainable development. With fervent dedication, she spearheads numerous projects addressing climate change and offers invaluable support to women and youth through both national and international initiatives. Her contributions extend to conducting workshops that have garnered international recognition and accolades. She is a skilled engineer with more than 11 years of experience in strategy, operations, as well as managing the commercial part of different business sectors. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's degree in E-Government, she embodies the fusion of knowledge and dedication that drives positive change.

Lana has held responsibility for overseeing the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of over 30 national and international projects and programs. She demonstrated the ability to engage across diverse areas of support, orchestrating a myriad of activities geared towards enhancing the capabilities of SMEs and start-ups. Her efforts primarily aimed at empowering them to explore new markets and achieve broader reach, aligning with the core objectives of the projects, including policy-level initiatives. She has received recognition on both the national and international stage and has secured more than seven awards across various sectors, with a strong focus on innovation and pioneering new systems within the realm of renewable energy. She was distinguished as one of the "365 Inspiring Arabic Empowering Women" by @wibarabia. As a representative of Jordan youth for tech and innovation initiative at Future Hub UAE, she has significantly contributed to this dynamic field and received the distinguished honor of being the best employee at MITS.  Furthermore, she serves as the national focal point for a multitude of pivotal national projects, including the Investor Journey Project, the Simplifying Registration and Licensing Procedures for Economic Activities Project, the Job Creation for Youth and Women Project, the JOSME Project (Enhancement of Jordanian SMEs Inclusiveness, Competitiveness, and Sustainable Innovation), T4E (Trade for Employment), Employment-Oriented MSME Promotion Project, Economic Reform Activity (ERA), Home Based Businesses Project (HBBs), Corporate Entrepreneurship Responsibility Alliance (CERA), SWITCH MED Project, and the Building Resilience through Circularity: Green Innovations in Host Communities (BR َCkA) project.

Lana has been a dedicated member of the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Government for over five years, leading the Digital Transformation Committee. As the Founder of the Oswah Hasanah Charity Society and Just Green Co., she has shown her commitment to meaningful societal contributions. These experiences and accomplishments have propelled her to an elevated level of understanding in the realm of business development.

Chicago-based Help at Home has a 50-year history of providing care for vulnerable populations, enabling clients to age in place at home with independence and dignity. The company has grown into a leading national provider of high-quality, relationship-based home care services for Medicaid-eligible seniors and people living with disabilities, now in 11 states.

In 2022, a new leadership team of healthcare executives with the vision to transform in-home personal care services set out to connect the healthcare ecosystem through innovation. In pursuit of this, Help at Home launched the Care Coordination program, which is built from a unique vantage point on caregiver-client relationships. Caregivers are in the home more than 20 hours per week on average, enabling ongoing client observations. The program capitalized on these relationships, implementing a tech-savvy data analytics program, AI, and a clinical team and creating a first-of-its-kind Care Coordination program connecting home care to health care.

Caregiver observations provide insights into serious health conditions or events like household fall hazards through digitized survey tools. Through AI predictive analytics, a clinical support team is alerted, and interventions are triggered that mitigate adverse events, keeping clients out of the hospital or nursing home.

In 2023, Care Coordination from the Help at Home program brought on nearly 2,000 clients and has demonstrated the ability to engage clients at scale, reduce the cost of care, improve care quality, increase caregiver and client satisfaction, and address health-related social needs that improve health equity.

Through partnerships with Medicaid state agencies and health plans, they have seen reductions in the cost of care, optimized health benefits, and positive impacts from social services partnerships, like better access to community housing and food assistance, etc. The program’s first year captured more than a million caregiver observations that sparked analysis leading to 1,300 proactive interventions to connect clients to their healthcare network, social services organizations, or community resources.

For Medicaid and dual-eligible individuals, about 80% of the impact on their health outcomes and cost of care comes from non-medical barriers such as social determinants of health and lifestyle. Help at Home designed the Care Coordination program with a health-equity forward approach to address these health disparities. The company employs community health workers who are in the communities and work with the team that includes the caregiver and other clinicians to intervene, make connections that address health-related social needs, and influence quality of life and health outcomes. In this manner, Help at Home is improving the quality of care provided to a largely underserved Medicaid population. This creates value for provider partners and payers seeking value-based care arrangements, and, over time, will drive down national healthcare spending.

As this skilled team of healthcare-savvy leaders continues to drive growth, resulting in increased scale, density, and operational efficiency, Help at Home is ready to meet the growing demand for home and community-based care for seniors and people living with disabilities utilizing Medicaid or dually eligible supports.

Help At Home won a Gold and two Silver Stevie Awards for Achievement in Product Innovation, Achievement in Growth Status, and Healthcare Communications or PR Campaign of the Year, respectively, in The 2024 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Are you looking for a unique and impactful way to showcase your organization’s brand? The Stevie Awards®, renowned worldwide for celebrating excellence in business, is now offering exclusive tote bag sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 awards ceremonies.

These tote bags aren’t just practical,  they’re a lasting reminder of achievement. Given to winners at our awards ceremonies, the totes are used by recipients to carry their awards home—and often become part of their daily lives. Imagine your organization’s logo traveling far and wide, seen by countless professionals and business leaders.

Sponsorship Options:

Option 1: Spring Ceremony Tote Bag Sponsorship

Your two-color logo will be prominently displayed on one side of the tote bag given to winners at these spring ceremonies:

• Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service
• Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards
• Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards
• The American Business Awards®

Cost: $2,995
Sponsorship Deadline: January 15, 2025

Option 2: Fall Ceremony Tote Bag Sponsorship

Your two-color logo will be featured on one side of the tote bag given to winners at these fall ceremonies:

• Stevie Awards for Great Employers
• Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence
• The International Business Awards® and the German Stevie Awards
• Stevie Awards for Women in Business

Cost: $2,995
Sponsorship Deadline: August 1, 2025

Option 3: Full-Year Tote Bag Sponsorship

Maximize your visibility across all 2025 ceremonies! Your two-color logo will appear on the tote bags distributed at both the spring and fall events, reaching winners at all seven Stevie Awards ceremonies.

Cost: $5,500
Sponsorship Deadline: January 15, 2025

Why Sponsor the Stevie Awards Tote Bags?

• Unmatched Visibility: Your logo will be seen by award winners and attendees at prestigious events, extending its reach as the bags are used daily by recipients.
• Targeted Audience: Align your brand with excellence and innovation by connecting with top professionals and organizations worldwide.
• Cost-Effective Branding: Enjoy sustained exposure at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising.

Act Now!

Secure your spot as a 2025 Stevie Awards Tote Bag Sponsor today. Availability is limited, and deadlines are fast approaching!

Stevie-winner Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (KCLA) is a ketamine clinic specializing in intravenous (IV) infusions of ketamine for various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidality, and other mood disorders.

Cofounded by Dr. Steven L. Mandel and his son Sam Mandel in 2014, KCLA emerged as one of the pioneering ketamine clinics in the United States. With a strong focus on reshaping and redefining mental health care, the Mandels have been at the forefront of utilizing Ketamine Infusion Therapy, delivering more than 30,000 infusions with an 83% success rate over 10 years. KCLA is the first and only ketamine clinic accredited by Quad A, upholding the gold standard in safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction.

With a commitment to comprehensive, evidence-based care, KCLA expanded its services to include Psychiatric Medication Management and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), with plans for further advancements soon. They are excited about the healing potential of other psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin, aiming to integrate these medicines and others into the practice when they become legally available.

With the expansion of their services, they have collaborated with 10 of the largest payers in California, including Medicare, again increasing access to those in need. Known for its concierge-level service at affordable prices and with insurance coverage options, KCLA is changing the way mental healthcare is provided in the United States.

Stevie-winning Co-Founder Sam Mandel
A lifelong mental health advocate and entrepreneur, Sam co-founded KCLA with his father, Dr. Steven L. Mandel, in 2014. He serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of KCLA, managing its growing staff of executives, physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, and administrative staff.

Sam oversees patient satisfaction, human resources, vendors, marketing, public relations, technology, compliance, legal, and finance. Sam is also a professional actor with over 40 principal credits in Film, TV, Commercials, Theatre, and Voiceover, and he is a rapper and freestyle artist. Sam enjoys weightlifting, traveling, snowboarding, and spending time with his friends and dog Banksy outside of the clinic.

Sam has been instrumental in bringing ketamine infusion therapy into the mainstream over the last decade, with significant headway in the last year. Sam has been interviewed by and quoted in numerous major media outlets in film, TV, podcasts, radio, and print, such as the Hollywood Reporter, USA Today, US Weekly, FOX News, NPR, and many others for his leadership at KCLA and leadership of the field of ketamine therapy for mental health.

Sam Mandel won Silver and Bronze Stevie Awards for Best Health Products & Services Entrepreneur and Consumer Services Thought Leader of the Year; and Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles earned two Silver Stevies for Achievement in Customer Satisfaction and Health Products & Services Company of the Year in The 2024 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Wir freuen uns, unseren neuen Repräsentanten der Stevie® Awards für Europa, Marc-Oliver Link, Geschäftsführer der NewWork Success GmbH, vorzustellen. Mit seiner Expertise und seinem Netzwerk wird er die Geschäftsentwicklung der Stevie Awards in Europa vorantreiben und ihre Bekanntheit steigern. Zudem wird er Teilnehmer*innen, potenzielle Bewerber*innen und Stevie-Award-Gewinner*innen unterstützen.

Mit mehr als 30 Jahren Erfahrung in der Softwareentwicklung und der Implementierung innovativer Informationstechnologien verfügt er über tiefgehendes und umfassendes Wissen in den Bereichen Softwareentwicklung, Webdesign und Online-Marketing.

Er ist ein weltweit gefragter Experte für den Austausch medizinischer Daten sowie für Online-Marketing in den Bereichen Gesundheitswesen und Medien. Mit großem Erfolg hat er zahlreiche nationale und internationale Softwareprojekte in Ländern wie den USA, Malaysia, der Türkei, Saudi-Arabien, Polen, Schweden, Frankreich, Italien und vielen weiteren umgesetzt, insbesondere im Gesundheitssektor.

„Wir freuen uns sehr, mit Marc-Oliver aufgrund seiner Erfahrung und seines Netzwerks den optimalen Repräsentanten für Europa gefunden zu haben“, sagt Michael Gallagher, Gründer und Executive Chairman der Stevie Awards.

Als Teilnehmer und Juryvorsitzender ist Marc-Oliver seit vielen Jahren mit den Stevie Awards vertraut. Er selbst war als Teilnehmer für verschiedene Unternehmen sehr erfolgreich.

„Ich bin sehr stolz darauf, die großen und weltweit bekannten Stevie Awards in Europa vertreten zu dürfen. Ich persönlich kann die Teilnahme an den Stevie Awards-Programmen sehr empfehlen, denn sie macht den eigenen Erfolg auf eine einzigartige und besondere Weise sichtbar. Die Teilnahme eröffnet ein zusätzliches Netzwerk, vergrößert die eigene Reichweite und eröffnet neue Marktchancen“, so Marc-Oliver Link.

Die Stevie Awards-Wettbewerbe erhalten jedes Jahr mehr als 12.000 Nominierungen von Organisationen aus über 70 Ländern und Regionen. Sie würdigen Organisationen aller Arten und Größen sowie die Menschen, die hinter ihrem Erfolg stehen. Stevie Awards-Repräsentant*innen arbeiten weltweit daran, innovative Unternehmen und Führungspersönlichkeiten zu entdecken, sie bei ihrem Einstieg in die globale Arena zu unterstützen und ihre Markenbekanntheit zu steigern.

Die Stevie Awards gehören zu den größten internationalen Innovations- und Wirtschaftspreisen und genießen seit über 20 Jahren besondere Anerkennung in der Geschäftswelt. Zu ihren Programmen zählen unter anderem die The International Business Awards® und die German Stevie Awards.

We are delighted to introduce our new Stevie® Awards representative for Europe, Marc-Oliver Link, Managing Director of NewWork Success GmbH, who will leverage his expertise and network to further the business development and increase awareness of the Stevie Awards in Europe. He will also assist Stevie Awards entrants, those considering entering, and Stevie Award winners.

With more than 30 years of experience in software development and the implementation of innovative information technologies, he has profound and comprehensive knowledge of software development, web design, and online marketing.

He is a globally sought-after expert for medical data exchange and online marketing in the healthcare and media sectors. He has successfully implemented many national and international software projects across the USA, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Sweden, France, Italy, and many more, particularly in the healthcare sector.

"We are very pleased to have found the optimal Representative for Europe in Marc-Oliver due to his experience and his network" says Stevie Awards Founder and Executive Chairman Michael Gallagher.

As a participant and jury chairman, Marc-Oliver has been familiar with the Stevie Awards for many years. He himself has been very successful as a participant for various companies.

"I am very proud to be able to represent the world's largest and most well-known Stevie Awards in Europe. Personally, I can highly recommend participating in the Stevie Awards programs, because it makes your own success visible in a unique and special way. Taking part opens up an additional network, expands your reach and opens new market opportunities," says Marc-Oliver Link.

Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 nominations each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories, honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them. Stevie Awards representatives work across the globe to discover and help innovative companies and leaders enter the global arena and elevate their brand recognition.

The Stevie Awards are among the largest international innovation and business awards and have enjoyed special recognition in the business world for more than 20 years with programs such as The International Business Awards® and the German Stevie Awards.

Stevie-winner Herat Joshi, Data Science Lead at Great River Health, has made significant strides in transforming healthcare informatics by providing free, accessible training to healthcare professionals worldwide. With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, Joshi has established a comprehensive training platform that addresses essential aspects of healthcare informatics and technology management.

His dedication to democratizing education in healthcare technology has led to the creation of a user-friendly website, Coursya, that offers a range of free training modules. These courses aim to empower healthcare professionals by covering foundational knowledge in healthcare data and technology, ultimately enhancing patient care and fostering industry innovation.

To date, Joshi has developed over 100 specialized training modules utilized by more than 20,000 professionals across more than 60 countries. Topics include AI-driven healthcare informatics, electronic health record (EHR) project management, data security and HIPAA compliance, healthcare interoperability (FHIR/HL7). These modules are invaluable resources for healthcare professionals at some of the world’s most esteemed institutions, including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The impact of the platform extends internationally, reaching healthcare systems such as Toronto General Hospital in Canada, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany, and Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. His training initiatives not only equip healthcare professionals with essential skills but also prepare them to leverage data analytics to enhance patient-centered care and operational efficiency.

Joshi’s approach to education is characterized by its accessibility. By offering these training courses for free, he effectively dismantles barriers that may prevent healthcare professionals from accessing formal training, thereby creating opportunities for a range of individuals in the industry. This commitment to democratizing education reflects Joshi's vision of improving healthcare outcomes for all, not just a select few.

Herat Joshi's initiatives pave the way for the future of healthcare education, equipping professionals to effectively integrate advanced technologies into their practices.

Herat Joshi won a Silver Stevie Award for Achievement in Online Training in The 2024 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Developed to address the evolving needs of today’s workforce, Stevie-winner Confirm is reshaping the landscape of employee evaluations by identifying the real drivers of impact and pinpointing areas for improvement in a data-driven and efficient way.

Confirm, a cutting-edge platform designed for the modern world of remote and network-based work, is transforming how companies evaluate employee performance. As the first platform to harness Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) in performance reviews, Confirm offers a groundbreaking way for organizations to measure performance not just through traditional means, but by examining the intricate networks within a company.

Confirm’s platform works by asking employees four simple questions about their colleagues, such as who they turn to for advice and who they believe is underperforming. Using this network data, Confirm analyzes trends and correlations, providing leaders with crucial insights into which employees are high performers and which may need additional support. The platform’s insights help companies prevent costly turnover by retaining top talent and swiftly addressing underperformance.

According to Confirm’s analysis, only 15% of employees contribute to 50% of an organization's overall impact, while 5% create 50% of the problems. By identifying this uneven distribution of performance, the platform enables companies to save substantial costs and make informed decisions about employee management, bypassing the outdated notion of a bell curve.

Since April 2022, Confirm has made several notable updates to its platform:

Auto-Calibration Feature. The platform now includes an auto-calibration feature that has significantly streamlined the lengthy process of comparing and reconciling employee ratings. What once took months now takes only days, thanks to advanced checks on each manager’s ratings. The system pinpoints the employees who should be the focus of calibration discussions, helping businesses reduce time spent on manual adjustments while increasing the accuracy of performance evaluations.

Performance OKRs and Career Goals. With this new addition, companies can benchmark employee development over time, monitor progress, and gain real-time visibility into goal achievement. By utilizing data-driven insights, the OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) feature simplifies progress tracking, empowering organizations to focus on long-term growth for both the company and individual employees.

Employee Engagement Surveys. Employee engagement is a key indicator of company success, and Confirm now offers surveys to help businesses better understand their workforce’s needs. Leveraging GPT-4 technology, the platform surfaces valuable insights in minutes, highlighting potential issues and providing actionable takeaways. The feature also includes filters by team and department, allowing for a more granular understanding of employee sentiment across different areas of the organization.

ChatGPT-4 Integration. To make performance reviews more efficient without sacrificing quality, Confirm has integrated ChatGPT-4 into its platform. This tool assists managers in summarizing and writing feedback for employee reviews, allowing them to complete reviews quickly while maintaining thoughtful and thorough feedback for employees.

Performance Profile. A significant advancement in employee empowerment, the Performance Profile feature provides employees with a network-driven view of their own performance. This transparency allows workers to see how they compare to their peers and track their progress over time. Not only do leaders benefit from this feature, but employees can also take charge of their development by understanding their strengths and areas for growth.

Confirm’s approach to performance reviews offers a fresh, data-driven alternative to traditional methods, helping organizations better understand employee contributions and drive meaningful improvements. By continuously evolving its platform with new features, Confirm enables businesses to make smarter, more informed decisions that enhance both individual and organizational success in today’s dynamic work environment.

Confirm won a Silver Stevie Award for Best Human Capital Management or Talent Management Solution in The 2024 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Launched just a week before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country into lockdown, Stevie-winner Bluegrass Bottling started with only two employees and a single client. Despite the rough timing, the company has grown steadily, now serving over 75 brands and employing 22 people. Their customer-first mentality has allowed them to concentrate on meeting the needs of small craft producers, helping them bring their products to market.

A Challenging Beginning
Opening its doors just days before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company faced immediate challenges. With the country in lockdown, their initial plan to bottle spirits was put on hold. However, holding a distilled spirits permit (DSP) provided an unexpected opportunity. As businesses were asked to pivot and help with public health efforts, the bottler was instructed to begin producing hand sanitizer.

Without hesitation, they shifted gears and began producing sanitizer at an unprecedented scale. Despite the crisis and rising costs of supplies, the company chose not to increase prices. Their ability to quickly adapt—finding suppliers, shippers, and additional staff with minimal contacts—was a testament to their flexibility and resourcefulness. As a result, they successfully navigated the pandemic's uncertainties and even managed to establish crucial relationships with bottle suppliers, label printers, and box makers—partners they still work with today.

A Return to Spirits
As the country began reopening and the demand for hand sanitizer waned, the company was quick to return to its original focus: bottling bourbon whiskey. They quickly expanded their services beyond bourbon, adding vodka, gin, rum, liqueurs, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to their portfolio. With no minimum case requirements, the company offers even the smallest craft distillers a chance to bottle their products and bring their unique spirits to market.

Their services now include bottling a wide range of spirits and packaging sizes, from 50ml to 1.75L. In addition to their DSP, they also hold a wine permit, allowing them to offer bottling services in the wine industry. This diversity has helped them build a strong reputation in a competitive field while maintaining a commitment to their original mission—focusing entirely on their clients' success.

By eliminating minimum requirements, they give even the smallest distillers a chance to shine, helping their clients create standout products with exceptional packaging and great taste.

A Woman-Owned Business in a Male-Dominated Industry
As one of the few women-owned businesses in the spirits industry, this bottler stands out not just for their service, but for the leadership and vision of their founder. With deep respect for the bourbon industry and a desire to contribute to its growth, the founder has created a company culture focused on teamwork, research, and development. Every employee is encouraged to contribute ideas, fostering a sense of innovation and agility that has been key to their success.

From its early days producing hand sanitizer to becoming a major player in the spirits bottling industry, this company’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and a commitment to supporting the craft spirits community. With further expansions on the horizon and plans to boost local tourism, its story is far from over.

Bluegrass Bottling won a Bronze Stevie Award for Fastest Growing Company of the Year - Up to 100 Employees in The 2024 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

As the co-founder and CEO of PissedConsumer.com, a leading review and reputation management platform, Michael Podolsky has dedicated his career to improving communication between consumers and businesses. With over 20 years of experience on Wall Street and a robust background in brand reputation, customer service, and IT consulting, he has cultivated a wealth of knowledge that informs his leadership approach.

The inception of PissedConsumer.com can be traced back to 2006, driven by Michael’s own experience as a frustrated consumer. After facing an unresolved issue that left him feeling unheard, he realized there was a critical need for a platform where consumers could voice their concerns and attract the attention of businesses. With only $200 to invest, Michael and his business partner launched the website from a humble kitchen in New York. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a thriving community that empowers consumers to share their experiences and seek resolutions with brands.

Today, PissedConsumer.com boasts a dedicated team of nearly 100 employees who share Michael’s vision of fostering communication between consumers and companies. The platform serves as a vital resource for individuals seeking to air grievances and for businesses aiming to understand their customers better. By highlighting the real drivers of impact within organizations, Michael and his team have reshaped the conversation around customer feedback, moving away from traditional customer service paradigms.

Despite facing challenges, including multiple lawsuits from companies attempting to silence consumer voices, Michael remained steadfast in his mission. Rather than retreating, he leveraged these challenges to advocate for consumer rights, even alerting government agencies to issues regarding consumer feedback. His efforts contributed to regulatory changes that underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in business practices.

Michael's approach to leadership emphasizes collaboration and innovation. He believes that the best ideas come from a culture where every team member feels empowered to contribute. “A leader should not just drive the team but lead it,” he asserts, advocating for an agile workplace where individuals can make decisions autonomously. This philosophy has helped PissedConsumer.com maintain its status as a leader in consumer advocacy, despite its initially negative connotation.

In addition to running PissedConsumer.com, Michael actively engages with the business community. He has spoken at various conferences and events, sharing practical insights on improving online reputation, customer service, and brand awareness. His contributions as an influencer on platforms like Forbes Business Council and INC further amplify his commitment to educating businesses about the value of customer feedback.

Michael Podolsky’s journey exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship grounded in a genuine desire to make a difference. Through PissedConsumer.com, he continues to bridge the gap between consumers and businesses, advocating for a more transparent and communicative marketplace.

Michael Podolosky won a Gold Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur in Consumer Services in The 2024 American Business Awards^®.

Interested in entering for 2025?