Stevie-winner Simply Contact is a customer support outsourcing company, originally founded in Dnipro, Ukraine, in 2013.

Over the past decade, the company has grown significantly, expanding its operations across Ukraine with offices in Kyiv, Lviv, and Poltava, as well as establishing a presence in Warsaw, Poland. With a team of over 600 employees, Simply Contact provides multilingual and multichannel customer support services to clients worldwide, handling operations in more than 18 languages.

The company's client roster includes a diverse array of organizations, from established brands like Wizz Air and government entities such as the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Digital Transformation to innovative startups like Bolt, Wheelshare, and Ditto Music. Simply Contact’s ability to serve such a broad range of clients is a testament to its versatility and commitment to delivering high-quality customer service solutions.

One of the key strengths of Simply Contact lies in its ability to adapt and scale its services efficiently, especially during periods of fluctuating demand. The company has implemented a blended support model, which allows for dynamic agent allocation based on immediate needs. This approach has proven particularly effective in reducing call center abandon rates and improving response times. For instance, on the Wizz Air project, Simply Contact managed to reduce the average handling time by 30%, while ensuring that 80% of calls are answered within 35 seconds and all emails are addressed within five days. This level of efficiency not only enhances customer satisfaction but also optimizes operational costs, saving clients up to 10% in total cost of ownership.

Another notable achievement is the improvement in customer satisfaction (CSAT) for Bolt, one of Simply Contact's key clients. By retraining agents, developing a dynamic monitoring system, and implementing targeted strategies for specific scenarios, Simply Contact was able to elevate Bolt’s CSAT from 64% to over 80%, surpassing the industry standard. This significant improvement is indicative of the company’s systematic and thoughtful approach to customer service, which continues to drive positive results for its clients.

Simply Contact's ability to adapt to client needs and improve operational efficiency has made it a strong contender in the customer service outsourcing industry. Through innovative practices like the blended support model and a focus on reducing handling times and increasing customer satisfaction, the company has consistently delivered cost-effective solutions. These strategies have proven successful in enhancing the customer experience for clients across various sectors, from established brands to emerging startups.

As the company continues to evolve, it remains focused on delivering tailored, high-quality services that address the unique challenges of each client, reinforcing its position as a leader in multilingual and multichannel customer service.

Simply Contact won a Bronze Stevie^® Award for Contact Center or Customer Service Outsourcing Provider of the Year in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Interested in entering the 2025 awards program?

Stevie-winner Accela provides a unified suite of cloud solutions trusted by governments across the globe to accelerate their digital transformation, deliver vital services, and build stronger communities. 

The company offers agile, purpose-built solutions and the power of a platform that provides users with a consumer-like experience, shares data across departments, and ensures world-class security. With over 600 jurisdictions worldwide, Accela’s products manage critical tasks efficiently and effectively.

The Challenge
Accela implemented a Salesforce-powered community where members sought fast, relevant information. However, there were some challenges. Customers and support representatives had to juggle between multiple content repositories to find all available information. At times, they ended up with irrelevant or missing results due to the many content silos. The team knew gaps existed in their published knowledge repositories but had no way to identify all of them or understand which ones were having the biggest impact on their customers. Consequently, their support team was flooded with customer support requests. The management team wanted to reduce the load by improving the self-service experience.

All things considered, Accela was looking for an overarching solution that could not only enable users to self-serve but also provide access to all documented information from a single search point.

The Solution
Enter SearchUnify, a unified cognitive search platform. Its out-of-the-box support for 60+ enterprise platforms helped Accela index all its disparate content repositories and integrate them seamlessly with its customer community. This created a unified discovery experience for their customers within the online community.

As a result, when customers searched for help, the engine scoured all of Accela's documented knowledge to find and return every relevant answer. Support reps received the same experience in their agent console. This eliminated the need to switch tabs or login to separate systems to access the right content.

SearchUnify's ML-fueled algorithms significantly improved search relevance in the online customer community. It factored in customer data such as their activity across all touchpoints and engagement patterns. This ensured every customer only saw content relevant to their profile. Its insights engine empowered knowledge teams to immediately identify and close content gaps, which further helped improve customer satisfaction scores while reducing the load on customer support teams.

Furthermore, SearchUnify’s platform bridged the gap between multiple systems to provide a real-time, end-to-end view of the customer's self-help journey. Accela teams could now follow individual customer paths starting with search terms, to search results, content clicks, and answers read to cases submitted. This provided powerful and actionable insights that allowed Accela to dramatically improve its customers’ experiences.

Accela won a Gold Stevie^® Award for Best Use of Technology in Customer Service - Computer Industries in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Interested in entering the 2025 awards program?

Stevie-winner Bigleaf Networks specializes in optimizing internet performance for businesses through a cloud-first SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) solution.

Their technology focuses on ensuring reliable internet connectivity by dynamically managing and prioritizing network traffic, which is crucial for businesses dependent on cloud-based applications. Bigleaf's solution detects and mitigates network issues automatically, providing consistent performance and reducing downtime for critical business operations.

The company serves various industries with a plug-and-play setup that requires minimal IT intervention, making it accessible to businesses without extensive technical expertise. Bigleaf's services include real-time traffic analysis, automated failover, and load balancing across multiple ISP connections. This approach ensures optimal internet performance and reliability, allowing businesses to maintain productivity and efficiency even during network disruptions or heavy usage periods.

Bigleaf has built a reputation for providing network optimization solutions. It offers dynamic Quality of Service (QoS) and intelligent internet traffic load balancing services designed to guarantee optimal performance for essential internet and cloud applications. Their commitment to innovation and excellence has led to the delivery of cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Founded on the goal of revolutionizing internet connectivity, Bigleaf has successfully optimized network performance for businesses of all sizes across various industries. Their dynamic QoS and intelligent traffic load balancing services ensure uninterrupted access to essential applications, enhancing productivity and driving business growth.

Since July 2021, Bigleaf has achieved significant milestones in customer service, evidenced by impressive G2 ratings and reviews. These ratings highlight the company's dedication to delivering exceptional customer service and satisfaction. Bigleaf boasts a 98% gross customer retention rate and an outstanding 114% net retention rate, demonstrating its success in retaining and expanding its customer base through effective service and support.

These achievements underscore Bigleaf's focus on prioritizing customer satisfaction and providing value-added solutions tailored to client needs. Through its proactive approach to customer service and commitment to excellence, Bigleaf Networks has solidified its reputation as a trusted partner and industry leader in delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Bigleaf Networks won a Bronze Stevie^® Award for Customer Service Success - Technology Industries in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Interested in entering the 2025 awards program?

Stevie-winner GoCo is on a mission to automate manual human resources (HR) tasks and empower HR professionals to make work a better place.

GoCo.io is modernizing HR, benefits, and payroll with its modern, all-in-one, solutions for SMBs (small-to-medium-sized businesses). Unlike other HR platforms, GoCo is built to support existing processes, policies, and providers so that SMBs don’t have to change the way they work in order to adopt a modern HR system.

GoCo's Client Success (CS) Team provides exceptional service tailored to customers' evolving needs. The department has undergone strategic expansions and process changes over the years to introduce specialized roles for each aspect of the platform and foster a culture of dedicated support.

As the company has grown, the CS Team has expanded from eight team members to over 50 team members specialized in different areas of the process and product. The history of GoCo's CS Team reflects a dedication to innovation, client-centricity, and a consistent pursuit of excellence in delivering service to clients.

Unlike many players in the space, GoCo prioritizes a personalized approach. It assigns a dedicated team of named contacts to every client at each stage of the process and throughout their lifecycle as a client. This team, based 100% in the United States, offers a genuine human connection with a reachable phone number, eliminating the use of impersonal 800 numbers, offshoring, chatbots, or AI in client interactions.

Their commitment to customer success is further exemplified by having specialists dedicated to each facet of the platform, ensuring expertise in addressing specific client needs. Notably, they don't impose extra charges for any services, including group training, private one-on-one sessions, or training new client administrators, a stark departure from industry norms.

“There's never enough time for busy HR leaders to get everything done, but GoCo has an answer to that,” said Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory. “With a robust HR platform focused on small businesses and their unique needs, 100% of GoCo clients say the system saves them time each week, said Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory. "Most importantly, those employers are turning that newly freed up time toward creating workplaces that engage and support the workforce in a powerful way.”

They said these awards exemplify the company’s unwavering dedication to driving positive change in the HR technology landscape: "It's a tremendous honor to receive these accolades, which are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire GoCo team," said Nir Leibovich, Co-Founder and CEO at GoCo. These awards reaffirm our commitment to delivering best-in-class solutions and unparalleled customer service to our clients."

Since winning its award, GoCo has made significant strides in enhancing its platform with cutting-edge features aimed at revolutionizing HR management for SMBs. Among the notable additions to its arsenal are expense management with an AI receipt scanner, a built-in AI knowledge base, attendance management and scheduling, and employee engagement and eNPS surveys.

Additionally, GoCo proudly announced the addition of Steve Allison as the new Vice President of Client Success. With over 30 years in the Benefits and HR industry, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the GoCo team. His appointment underscores GoCo's commitment to delivering unparalleled service and support to its growing client base.

GoCo won a Bronze Stevie^® Award for Customer Service Department of the Year – Computer Software - 100 or More Employees in the 2024 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

Interested in entering the 2025 awards program?

Stevie-winner Tangible Words Ltd. is a marketing and sales enablement agency dedicated to helping businesses grow their revenue through strategic content marketing and sales support.

The company specializes in creating and executing comprehensive marketing plans that align with clients' business goals. They ensure that every piece of content produced is designed to attract, engage, and convert potential customers.

In addition to content marketing, Tangible Words offers a suite of services aimed at enhancing sales processes and improving overall business performance. These services include website optimization, lead generation, email marketing, and customer relationship management. By integrating marketing efforts with sales strategies, the company helps clients streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately boost their bottom line.

Education and Empowerment
A key aspect of Tangible Words' approach is their commitment to education and empowerment. The company provides training and workshops to equip clients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain and grow their marketing and sales efforts independently. This commitment extends to their employees as well.

According to Co-founders Vicky Marrack and Alysha Dominico, working women are rarely given the privilege of personal time, so they created Tangible Words with a vision of genuine work-life balance. Long before the pandemic popularized virtual offices, the two created a work structure that supports personal life.

With minimal required weekly meetings, their remote team of 70% women contractors create personal work schedules that best fit their lifestyle. Contractors don’t sacrifice their personal goals for work goals but are encouraged to find balance, leaving room for development in both spheres. Vicky and Alysha lead by example in this pursuit of balance. The flexible work schedule gives greater freedom in work hours, allowing them to volunteer at their kids' school and cheer them on at sporting events. Vicky is an avid athlete fitting in time to play golf, basketball, and ultimate frisbee, and Alysha is a fiction writer, and both find time to develop these skills while leading a successful, growing agency.

Instead of molding their team into a singular work style, Vicky and Alysha embrace differences, bringing out each team member’s strengths to create meaningful results. The success of Vicky and Alysha’s workplace structure is not only seen in the company's achievements but also in the personal achievements of their team.

As pioneers of this work structure, Vicky and Alysha continue to find unique ways to connect their far-flung contractors. They implemented social Slack channels to share stories and fun personal updates and scheduled virtual escape rooms to solve excitingly complicated puzzles. Vicky and Alysha use these shared online spaces to celebrate their team loudly in all their achievements, maintaining a togetherness despite the distance. 

Supported by the successful structure they have created, Tangible Word’s flexibility allows Vicky and Alysha the time to help others achieve. In addition to their agency, the two created Tangible Help which contributes time and money to projects of change in underrepresented groups. Sponsoring the Wheelchair Basketball Canada tournament in Ottawa, Canada, and sponsoring a women-owned landscaping company are two of the many ways Tangible Words continues to give back.

Understanding the dangers of burnout, especially for women, Vicky and Alysha pioneered an online office structure that prioritizes professional and personal development. Working in a personalized way that brings out their best, the Tangible Words team aims to show that with strong leadership and care, work doesn’t have to stall life – instead, work can enhance life.

Tangible Words won a Silver Stevie Award for Women-Run Workplace of the Year in the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in entering the 2024 awards program?

Stevie-winner The Alpha Enterprise is a leading importer of chlorine and various chemicals used for water treatment. As the sole direct importer in the Philippines, they play a crucial role in ensuring the availability of high-quality chemicals that are essential for maintaining safe and clean water supplies across the country. Their products are widely used in municipal water treatment facilities, swimming pools, and industrial applications.

In addition to importing chlorine, The Alpha Enterprise offers a wide range of chemicals for water purification and treatment processes. These include coagulants, flocculants, disinfectants, and pH adjusters, all of which are critical for effectively treating water and ensuring it meets health and safety standards. Their extensive product line caters to the diverse needs of various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, helping to maintain optimal water quality.

The company is committed to providing expert technical support and consultation services to its clients. Their team of experienced professionals assists customers in selecting the appropriate chemicals and devising effective water treatment strategies. By offering tailored solutions and ongoing support, The Alpha Enterprise helps its clients optimize their water treatment processes, improve efficiency, and comply with regulatory requirements.

It also engages in corporate social responsibility initiatives through its partnership with The Persons with Multiple Disabilities Foundation Corp (PWMDFC). This foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with multiple disabilities by providing comprehensive care, support, and educational opportunities.

The Persons with Multiple Disabilities Foundation Corp
PWMDFC focuses on providing comprehensive care, support, and opportunities for people with multiple disabilities. It offers various programs and services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and educational support, to enhance the quality of life and independence of its beneficiaries. The foundation also works on raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with multiple disabilities and advocates for their rights and inclusion in society.

The Alpha Enterprise contributes to PWMDFC by providing financial support, resources, and volunteer efforts. This partnership allows the foundation to expand its programs, reach more individuals in need, and implement new initiatives that benefit the disabled community. Alpha Enterprise employees often participate in volunteer activities, contributing their time and skills to assist with the foundation’s projects and events.

Through this collaboration, The Alpha Enterprise and PWMDFC work together to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for people with multiple disabilities. Their combined efforts help empower these individuals, providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.

The Alpha Enterprise and team members won a Gold Stevie, two Silver Stevie Awards, and a Bronze Stevie Award for Social Change Maker of the Year in Disability, Female Innovator of the Year, Female Executive of the Year, and Organization of the Year, respectively, in the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in entering the 2024 awards program?

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is a telecommunications and digital services provider based in the Philippines. The company specializes in delivering high-speed fiber internet connectivity and digital solutions to residential, business, and enterprise customers across the country.

Converge ICT is known for its fiber-optic network infrastructure, which enables reliable and fast internet connections and supports data-intensive activities such as streaming, gaming, and business operations. In addition to internet services, Converge ICT offers a range of digital solutions, including managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and enterprise connectivity solutions.

Converge ICT President, Co- Founder, Chief Resources Officer and Chief Risk Officer Maria Grace Y. Uy won a Gold Stevie Award for Woman of the Year in Technology in the 2023 Stevie^® Awards for Women in Business.

Woman of the Year in Tech
Maria Grace Uy has always been curious about the frontier of possibilities that a connected Philippines might bring, but for years, she says, Filipinos have been settling for poor internet services, depriving them of the chance to explore the opportunities in a thriving digital economy.

Grace is the President and Co-Founder of Converge ICT Solutions Inc, and she was among the influential figures behind the business that dismantled the telecom duopoly in the Philippines to give way for the delivery of high-speed connectivity that Filipinos deserve. Also taking charge as Chief Risk Officer and Chief Resources Officer, Grace oversees the financial landscape of Converge to ensure that adequate strategic planning is implemented.

Grace has ushered in a series of triumphs in her pursuit to power a digitally connected Philippines. She spearheaded the company's nationwide expansion through significant inter-island connections in Visayas and Mindanao, from major cities to the most remote communities.

Currently, Converge boasts the most extensive fiber-to-the-home network in the Philippines and one of the country's most advanced and extensive cable systems, having 7.9 million ports nationwide and a remarkable 680,000 km fiber backbone.

Hitting 2M Residential Subscribers
As Converge went full throttle in reaching the unserved and underserved, it introduced its prepaid connectivity solution called Surf2Sawa, which caters to lower-income households. Surf2Sawa is a fiber connectivity solution that offers high-speed, flexible, and reliable connectivity on a prepaid basis, where subscribers can top-up for as low as P50 for a whole day connectivity, to P700 for a whole-month connection, depending on their needs and budget.

A few months after that, Converge also unveiled its most affordable postpaid plan yet called BIDA Fiber, aiming to capture the mass market who needs a reliable and more budget-friendly internet connection but prefers a monthly subscription over a prepaid service.

Unlike the regular postpaid solutions, BIDA Fiber offers a more affordable option for budget-conscious customers. It enables subscribers to maximize their connectivity experience through the capabilities of a pure-fiber connection for a price that they can very much afford.

With the introduction of these solutions to the market, Converge recently hit two million residential subscribers, a testament to its commitment to leaving no one behind in serving the unserved and underserved.

Amplifying the Voices of Women in Technology
Aside from co-piloting the business with her husband Dennis, Grace has also been advocating for women’s empowerment in the organization, encouraging them to claim their seats at the table and let their voices be heard.

In line with this, she led the launch of the company’s women mentorship program titled, "Grace Under Pressure: MentorSHE," where potential women leaders from managerial positions are guided and primed by senior women leaders in the company. Last March 2024, the program saw its first cohort complete the 12-week mentorship course designed to enhance their leadership abilities. Moving forward, the company intends to sustain the initiative, supporting the advancement of women leaders within the organization.

Despite being a relatively new player in an industry dominated by two telco giants, Grace’s co-leadership at Converge has helped to transform the digital experience of Filipinos through world-class connectivity services.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc.'s Maria Grace Y. Uy won a Gold Stevie Award for Woman of the Year in Technology in the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in entering the 2024 awards program?

The 7th annual Women|Future Conference was held virtually on July 23, bringing together ambitious, forward-thinking women from across industries and career stages to connect and discuss key issues impacting their industries, careers, and lives.

A professional development, learning, and networking event launched in 2018 to complement the highly successful Stevie® Awards for Women in Business program, the Women|Future Conference brings together a community of women small business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals interested in starting a business.

Attendees tuned in from cities across the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Europe. This year the agenda featured sessions that focus on small business and entrepreneurship.

If you missed the live conference, you can still watch all the session replays for just $5, available until the end of 2024 through Zoom Events. Register for access here.

Key Takeaways and Quotations
The conference kicked off with Keynote Speaker Heather Hoytink, President, South Division PepsiCo Beverages North America. In this role, Heather leads a beverage portfolio that has grown to nearly $5.5B since she started in 2022. As the company’s first woman named division president, she is responsible for end-to-end P&L ownership and manages all cross-functional activity inclusive of commercial, go-to-market, manufacturing, operations, and marketing. Heather was honored with a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the 2023 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business.

In her session titled "Igniting Your Influence," Heather was joined by ForbesWomen Contributor, Vickie Chachere, to engage in an intimate fireside chat delving into the profound impact of influence and relationships on one’s path to career success. 

Heather shared how her relationships have shaped her career, how she feels about being a woman in an executive role, and the concept of "returnship." She commented: "Be grounded in what sacrifices and trade-offs you're willing to make in your career and stay true to your principles. If you have great joy somewhere, stay the course. The grass isn't always greener somewhere else. Worry more about the collection of qualifications that will best help you get your dream job down the line."

She emphasized how mentors completely transformed her career: "They took a vested interest in me and helped me navigate corporate America," teaching her how to persuade and influence, how to design a career map, and sharing their professional insights. To help other women reach success, Heather created a returnship program at PepsiCo in partnership with "Path Forward." These are 16-week paid learning opportunities for women who had to take a break from work, whether due to family needs, health issues, etc. Returnships serve to help women assimilate back into corporate America with the support, mentors, and resources to be successful. At the end of the experience, if both parties are interested, "returners" may be offered a permanent position.

In her closing remarks, Heather encouraged the audience: "It's a great time to be a woman—we need to harness this moment and do great things."

The next session was a panel discussion, "Unlocking Awards Success: The Power of Stevie Awards in Building Credibility and Business Growth," which examined how organizations can utilize Stevie Awards to enhance their credibility, leverage their achievements to drive business growth, and effectively integrate award recognition into their overall strategic approach.

Nicole Schmitz, Founder & CEO of a leadership coaching consultancy, started her business during the COVID pandemic. She shared how winning an International Business Award helped her business grow rapidly. She encouraged others not to wait to nominate their business if they have found success—even if their business is newer: "My business went from zero to 100 after I won that first International Business Award. The more awards you enter, the more credibility, confidence, and experience you gain!"

She explained how "the backstage interview and the awards ceremony add another layer of leverage that provide value as well," while sharing that her red carpet interview from The 2023 International Business Awards ceremony in Rome, Italy, racked up over 20k views online!

CEO of Branch & Bramble Emily Lyman commented: "Applying for an award is a testament to your confidence in your company or your campaign to even submit. You can build out your campaigns with the Stevie Awards in mind: How can I craft a campaign that is award worthy? What is cutting edge and innovative and will help us win?"

Managing Partner and Founder of Purpol Marketing and 36-time Stevie Award winner Denise O'Leary, MBE, said that she collects press mentions, screenshots, and other articles that will support her Stevie Award nominations throughout the year. She recommends that all prospective entrants make a practice of this, so that it's easier to find and craft the story of your business accomplishments when it's time to collect evidence and make a case for any award submission.

In the third session of the conference, "Building a Trusted Brand: Authenticity in a Time of Public Scrutiny and Hot News Cycles" panelists hosted by Trust Relations CEO & Founder April White shared advice for brand leaders to decide when to take a public stance on issues in the press and how to prepare for and manage crisis situations.

Panelists included Rachel Griffin, Co-Founder of PlayWise Partners; Ronjini Joshua, Owner & President of The Silver Telegram; Catharine Montgomery, Founder & CEO of Better Together; and Marissa Nance, CEO & Founder of Native Tongue Communications.

All panelists agreed how important honesty and consistency are in developing trust with an audience. Catherine noted that it is just as essential to know your audience: "If leaders and companies don't know their audience, they can't connect authentically." Understanding your audience will help you create messaging that will truly resonate.

Ronjini added that consistency of messaging across channels should involve clear communication between internal teams so that all departments of an organization can be on the same page regarding messaging and tactics.

These strategies contribute to building authentic connections and trust with your audience and customers. In addition, if an organization makes a misstep in messaging or has compromised its reputation in another way, having that foundation of trust will help to repair and heal brand loyalty. Panelists highly recommend that leaders have a ready-to-go crisis management plan in place (before it's ever needed) that is up-to-date and consistently reviewed.

Marissa offered four practical tips for organizations who find themselves in a crisis situation: 1) make sure you clearly understand what the issue is—don't react to a misunderstanding or something that doesn't even exist; 2) determine if the issue is based in fact or fiction; 3) address it with sincerity in a way people feel seen and heard; and 4) take a step back during the situation and reflect on if what you're doing is actually working—if not, optimize and relaunch where and when needed.

If resources allow, there may be instances when you need to ask for help. "Don’t spend hours trying to be an expert when you can outsource to someone who is an expert," said Rachel. Even though social and cultural pressure sometimes makes women feel they should manage alone, part of being a leader is honestly evaluating your strengths and determining when to ask for assistance and support.

In the next session, "Breaking Barriers, Building Empires and Elevating Women: Driving Change in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business" speakers shared their personal journeys and experiences through the world of leadership and entrepreneurship.

It all begins with self-confidence, noted business strategist Kerry-Ann Powell, Founder of Trafalgar Strategies LLC: "It is important for you to always go back to how you see yourself....Do the work within....That internal belief about who you are and your vision is what enables you to step into yourself in a more positive way." 

Bosky Mukerjee, Founder of PMDojo, echoed Kerry-Ann's sentiments and added that you need to decide on your non-negotiable priorities that support your core values. She related her own experiences of hitting rock bottom in her mental and physical health while serving as President of a tech company. She said it was months of inner work reflecting on what she really cared about and what she wanted the next few years to look like: "You only grow when you are in the deep end of the pool," she said. Despite the intense pressure to shatter the glass ceiling, sometimes you have to walk away from roles or activities that are not serving your vision-- even if they might be million-dollar offers.

The panelists examined the role “hustle culture” has played in motivating and driving change, however, Angelique Hamilton, CEO & Chief Coaching Officer at HRCG, noted that there should be boundaries and parameters that you determine for yourself. Business Growth Strategist and Consultant Danielle Levy of The Boardroom League agreed, noting that this involves being in alignment with who you are to create your own journey of what work-life balance and professional development look like in practice.

Bosky highlighted the value of “finding your tribe”—the people who understand and support you—or if you can’t find a tribe you fit into, create your own and invite others with like priorities and goals. This also gives women leaders an opportunity to make space for other women in challenging sectors, she noted.

When it comes to battling against stereotypes and snap judgments in the workplace, panelists remarked that there are times for productive corrections and times to let it go. You can’t teach everyone good manners, said Bosky, relating how she used to get quite angry at the stereotyping that occurred in her workplace: “It’s all about picking your fights….be at peace in the things you can control.” 

In the final session of the conference, speakers explored "Leveraging AI Technology and Navigating the Social Media Landscape" panelists discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for businesses, featuring insights from industry leaders including an AI tech startup Founder, a Product Leader, an AI Strategist, and the SVP of Growth for Fortune 500 client brands.

AMP Solutions CEO Lisa Thee emphasized the importance of automation in reducing the mental load for leaders and employees and establishing a brand presence. She highlighted how AI and social media can help startups and businesses create engaging content, turning complex information into digestible sound bites. "AI is like hiring an amazing assistant that allows you to focus more on your super special powers," Lisa commented, which allows professionals to do less of the minor organizing and planning tasks that get in the way of executing their vision.

Kristen Dolan, SVP of Growth at Influential, discussed the integration of AI into social platforms, including tools like ChatGPT, and how companies are leveraging AI to enhance productivity. She cited examples like Meta AI, TikTok Symphony, and Snapchat’s MY AI, which provide small and medium-sized businesses with powerful, accessible tools for content creation and trend detection.

Deboshree Dutta, Founder & CEO of Criya, elaborated on AI’s impact on marketing, explaining how AI can create multi-mode content, streamline drip campaigns, and boost sales productivity by providing executive summaries and outlines.

The panel conversation also touched on the evolution of creator content. Kristen underscored the enduring need for genuine human connections, while Deboshree spoke about the burgeoning creator and influencer economy. She noted that content creation involves not just creativity but also business acumen, and AI can assist with the demanding business aspects. The panelists agreed that AI tools can help creators maintain authenticity and scale their efforts, suggesting that businesses and individuals experiment with AI to understand its capabilities.

Stay Connected: Replay Sessions and Nominate for Women in Business Stevies
If you didn’t get a chance to register for the live event, you can watch all the session replays for just $5, available until the end of 2024 through Zoom Events. Whether you attended the conference or are catching up now, these sessions are a treasure trove of knowledge.

Individuals and organizations can also still submit nominations for the 2024 (21st annual) Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. Entries will be accepted through August 21. Request the Entry Kit Now.

Finalists will be announced in September, and the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie-winner placements of the Finalists revealed during a gala awards dinner in New York City on Friday, November 8.

Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about next year's conference.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS AND PARTNERS​

Gold Sponsor:
The Boardroom League

Silver Sponsors: 
nFOLD
Dominique Young Law, P.C. 

Bronze Sponsors:
Enterprising Women Magazine
Divine Wealth Solutions
Lead Twist
PMDojo

GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc., pronounced G-E-H-A) is a nonprofit member association that provides medical and dental benefits to more than 2 million federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families.

GEHA was founded more than 80 years ago by a group of Railway Post Office employees who passed the hat to help their co-workers in times of need. What began as medical aid in the 1930s has transformed into providing medical and dental plans to federal employees, retirees, military retirees and their families today. GEHA remains dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of its 2 million members by continually seeking innovative ways to cater to their distinct health care needs.

In a testament to its commitment to corporate social responsibility, GEHA was recognized in 2023 by the Stevies 21st Annual American Business Awards® as a Gold winner for the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and Bronze winner for an Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility. 

Alexis Rolloff, the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, adds to GEHA's culture of prioritizing members and innovation. In 2023, she earned acclaim by winning a Bronze Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in government and nonprofit sectors. She has also been recognized as a Health Evolution Partners Fellow and serves as a mentor to women and non-binary leaders in Healthcare through Csweetener powered by HLTH Foundation. She is also an active member of Women Business Leaders in Healthcare.

Alexis Rolloff has a history of transforming complex business challenges into compelling solutions. At GEHA, she has catalyzed the development of the organization’s long-term business goals and strategic roadmap.

To accelerate this vision, she initiated the development of GEHA Ventures, a new strategic corporate venture capital initiative focused on partnering with seed and early-stage companies. As a strategic investor, GEHA is positioned to fuel new innovative solutions through investment as well as pilot these offerings with its association members. Through GEHA’s dual-purpose investments, it aims to:

1. Empower the consumer: GEHA strives to create a more informed and active health care consumer by investing in technologies and services that provide consumers with better access to information and tools to manage their health.
2. Enable lifestyle longevity: GEHA’s efforts are geared towards helping individuals navigate life's changes and maintain a preferred lifestyle across all life stages, including investments in digital health solutions that support long-term health and wellness.
3. Expand access: GEHA is committed to democratizing health care access to foster health equity and inclusion. By investing in innovative solutions that remove barriers to health care, GEHA aims to ensure everyone can receive quality care.
4. Drive sustainability: Ensuring high-quality care is economically sustainable and efficient is a core objective. GEHA’s investments are focused on technologies and services that reduce costs while maintaining or improving the quality of care.

Under Alexis' leadership, GEHA Ventures has made significant progress over the course of the past year, establishing strategic investment themes, building a strong leadership team and garnering internal support, while introducing GEHA and the federal opportunity to the external start-up and investor community.  Through these efforts, the program secured strategic deals that aligned with the organization's long-term goals – successfully funding and launching pilots that place breakthrough solutions in its member's hands.

One such pilot is with portfolio company You are Accountable, an innovative peer-based addiction recovery solution that is focused on the maintenance stage of change, enabling individuals to sustain their recovery long after acute treatment episodes. The pilot is an example of the tremendous potential impact of GEHA Ventures beyond financial returns alone.

In addition, Alexis is dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families through intentional philanthropic efforts, such as volunteering to serve military veterans on September 11, leading GEHA’s senior leadership team in a day of service with the Veterans Community Project, emphasizing transitional housing and mental health care services and spearheading and representing GEHA’s presence at Kansas City’s annual PrideFest. She also volunteers with her local chapter of Girls on the Run, promoting programs designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others.

By leveraging technology and cultivating a culture of innovation and wellness, Alexis has led her teams to achieve significant growth, paving the way for continued success and advancement in the future. Her forward-thinking approach solidifies her position as a driving force behind GEHA's continued evolution and success.

GEHA's Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Alexis Rolloff won a Bronze Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year – Government or Nonprofit –11 to 2,500 Employees in the 2023 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Interested in entering the 2024 program?

There's still time to register for the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business!

This year’s conference will take place virtually on July 23, 2024. Sign up by visiting our registration page.

The mission of the 7th annual Women|Future Conference, hosted by the Stevie® Awards, is to foster connections and professional and personal development through insightful sessions, workshops, and networking. If you’re a small business owner, executive, entrepreneur, or considering starting a business, #WomenFuture24 is an event you won’t want to miss.

#WomenFuture24 Keynote Speaker and Agenda Details
We are excited to have Heather Hoytink, President, South Division PepsiCo Beverages North America, as our Keynote speaker for the 2024 Women|Future Conference.

Heather is the President of PBNA South Division, leading a beverage portfolio that has grown to nearly $5.5B since she stepped into the role in 2022. As the company’s first woman named division president, Heather is responsible for end-to-end P&L ownership and manages all cross-functional activity inclusive of commercial, go-to-market, manufacturing, operations, and marketing. Heather was honored with a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the 2023 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business.

Heather will be joined by ForbesWomen Contributor Vickie Chachere, to engage in an intimate fireside chat, delving into the profound impact of influence and relationships on one’s path to career success.

Virtual sessions are tailored to ambitious professionals looking to learn and share what’s working in their organizations, troubleshoot the challenges they collectively face, and make meaningful connections.

You can expect discussions about everything from how to utilize mentorship as a path to professional and personal development, gain traction through public relations, and how technology affects human behavior. You’ll learn practical takeaways from sessions on marketing strategies, business ownership, and more. Sessions include:

Building a Trusted Brand: Authenticity in a Time of Public Scrutiny and Hot News Cycles

In this session hosted by Trust Relations CEO & Founder April White, panelists Rachel Griffin (Co-Founder of PlayWise Partners), Ronjini Joshua (Owner & President of The Silver Telegram) and Marissa Nance (CEO & Founder of Native Tongue Communications) will share advice for brand leaders to decide when to take a public stance on issues in the press, and how to ensure that when they decide to do so, they can back up their claims.

Unlocking Awards Success: The Power of Stevie Awards in Building Credibility and Business Growth

This panel discussion will delve into how organizations can utilize Stevie Awards to enhance their credibility, leverage their achievements to drive business growth, and effectively integrate award recognition into their overall strategic approach.

Breaking Barriers, Building Empires and Elevating Women: Driving Change in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Business

This session explores women’s journeys and experiences through the world of leadership and entrepreneurship, highlighting how passion-driven initiatives are breaking glass ceilings and revolutionizing business industries.

Leveraging AI Technology and Navigating the Social Media Landscape: Strategies for Business Growth & Success

In this dynamic panel discussion, we bring together a powerhouse of women who are at the forefront of innovation and technology. Join this session to delve into the realm of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for businesses, led by a diverse panel comprising an AI tech startup Founder, Product Leader, AI Strategist, and SVP of Growth for Fortune 500 client brands. 

The 21st Stevie Awards for Women in Business
In 2018, the first annual Women|Future Conference was presented by the Stevie Awards to complement the highly successful Stevie® Awards for Women in Business program, the world’s top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees, and the organizations they run. Many 2024 speakers are past and current Stevie Award winners who have earned recognition in one (or many) of our nine Stevie Awards programs.

Individuals and organizations can still submit nominations for the 2024 (21st annual) Stevie® Awards for Women in Business. The final entry deadline is July 24, but late entries will be accepted through August 21 with payment of a late fee. Request the Entry Kit Now.

Finalists will be announced in September, and the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie-winner placements of the Finalists revealed during a gala awards dinner in New York City on Friday, November 8.