Meet the Judges: Inspiring Women in CX Awards 2025
At Women in CX, we believe in the power of recognition, not just to celebrate achievements but to drive meaningful change.
The Inspiring Women in CX Awards are about shining a spotlight on exceptional women making a difference in customer experience and technology. To ensure we honour the very best, we’ve brought together a panel of incredible judges from across industries, each selected for their expertise, experience, passion, and commitment to CX.
The Judges and Their Categories
Our panel brings together thought leaders, practitioners, and pioneers from across the customer experience industry. Some judge multiple categories, bringing a breadth of perspective and insight to the process. Here’s a look at the judges for each award:
The Inclusion Award
Diane Magers - Head Judge
DeAnna Avis, Susannah Simmons, Lina Yahya, Fiona Blades
The Rising Star Award
Oremeyi Akah - Head Judge
Vicky Hampson, Ksenia Levina, Lara Khouri, Jodie Mountford
The Innovation Award
John Sills - Head Judge
Olga Potaptseva, Joanna Carr, Leonora Gouveia, Gergana Natcheva, Anne Nyachomba
The Collaboration Award
Sandra Thompson - Head Judge
Elena Rozanova, Snitha Bains, Marina Bezuglova, Claire Pampe, Julie Morgan
The Solopreneur of the Year Award
Christopher Brooks - Head Judge
Lara Khouri, Susannah Simmons, Valerie Peck, Beth Karawan
The Woman in CX Technology Award
Ejieme Eromosele - Head Judge
Stephanie Linville, Michelle Ansell, Simone Wilson, Weronika Rosiak-Jedz
The Culture Award
Adrian Swinscoe - Head Judge
Helen Luty, Ksenia Levina, Anne Dawson, Kerry Sudale
The Leader of the Year Award
Ian Golding - Head Judge
Vicky Hampson, Stephanie Linville, Elaine Barnes, Zack Hamilton, Clare Muscutt
Recognising the Importance of Women in CX and Tech
For Ejieme Eromosele, Head Judge of the Woman in CX Technology Award, visibility is key. "Recognizing and celebrating women in CX and technology is essential because diverse leadership drives innovation, inclusion, and better business outcomes. Women bring critical perspectives to customer experience, yet they remain underrepresented in executive roles and investment circles. By amplifying their contributions, we create visibility, open doors for future leaders, and ensure technology serves a broader audience. Representation matters—not just for today’s leaders, but for the next generation shaping the future of CX and tech."
“Women bring critical perspectives to customer experience, yet they remain underrepresented in executive roles and investment circles.”
Diane Magers, Head Judge of the Inclusion Award, echoes this sentiment. "Recognizing and celebrating women in CX and technology isn’t just about equity—it’s about amplifying diverse perspectives that drive innovation, empathy, and better experiences for all. When we lift women’s voices, we elevate the future of business and the human experiences that shape it."
For Christopher Brooks, Head Judge of the Solopreneur of the Year Award, diversity and inclusion are essential for driving innovation. "Diversity and inclusion brings dynamism, fresh thinking and ensures we have understanding and empathy of all customer types, so we can create genuinely meaningful experiences and outcomes for all. I love reviewing the stories people share about their triumphs and trials achieving them. It reminds us all that the path is not straight. It is the bends that shape us."
“Diversity and inclusion brings dynamism, fresh thinking and ensures we have understanding and empathy of all customer types.”
Ian Golding, Head Judge of the Leader of the Year Award, reflects on the impact women have had on his own career. “Over the last thirty years, I have hugely benefitted from working with some brilliant professionals who have both inspired and guided me. Many of these professionals have been women - women who have had the courage, persistence and compassion to do the right thing - for customers and colleagues, despite plentiful barriers being put in their way. I now feel hugely fortunate to be in the position to recognise the work that women do in the incredibly challenging world of experience management. It is so important to acknowledge and celebrate the difference these brilliant women make in a world still largely dominated by their male counterparts."
“It is so important to acknowledge and celebrate the difference these brilliant women make in a world still largely dominated by their male counterparts.”
For John Sills, Head Judge of the Innovation Award, celebrating women in CX and technology is about shifting focus to success stories. “In CX, too much time is spent focussing on the negatives – the companies that get it wrong, the funny mistakes we see companies make, the rage-posts used as cathartic therapy to get over a poor experience. So overall, I think it’s really important to celebrate success, to create inspiration for others and help create the belief that great things are possible.”
He also emphasises the need to amplify women’s achievements: “It’s well known how many achievements of women have been under-reported or misrepresented to men in the past, particularly in science and technology. So we should take every opportunity to call out female success and inspiration wherever it happens.”
Looking Forward to the Awards
As well as championing women in CX, our head judges are looking forward to the judging process itself, discovering the inspiring stories of this year’s nominees and engaging in thoughtful discussions with fellow judges.
Sandra Thompson, Head Judge of the Collaboration Award, anticipates an exciting challenge. "As Head Judge, I am looking forward to a healthy debate with my fellow judges as we face the difficult task of ranking these incredible humans. And, most importantly, hearing what every award entry in our category has to share, celebrating it and getting that strong sense of hope that despite the challenges and the setbacks, there is brilliance among us."
“I am looking forward to a healthy debate with my fellow judges as we face the difficult task of ranking these incredible humans.”
For Adrian Swinscoe, Head Judge of the Culture Award, the excitement lies in the learning. "I'm looking forward to learning more about and from all of the fantastic work that the entrants have been and are doing."
Meanwhile, Oremeyi Akah, Head Judge of the Rising Star Award, sees the process as an opportunity for growth and inspiration. "As a judge for the Inspiring Women in CX Awards, I am most looking forward to learning from the incredible stories of women driving meaningful change in customer experience. It’s an opportunity to gain fresh insights into how women across industries are innovating, solving complex challenges, and making a tangible difference for customers.
“I am also excited to bring a balanced and objective perspective to the judging process—ensuring that every nominee’s contribution is recognised and celebrated fairly. Beyond that, I believe it’s important to bring a sense of fun and energy to the experience, making the process both engaging and inspiring.
“I want to encourage participants to recognise that their seemingly ordinary work is creating extraordinary impact.”
“Most importantly, I want to encourage participants to recognise that their seemingly ordinary work is creating extraordinary impact. By shining a light on these achievements, we not only celebrate the present but also inspire the next generation of women to lead with confidence and purpose."
Voices from the Judges Panel
Beyond the head judges, the broader judging panel shares a deep passion for championing women in CX and technology.
Zack Hamilton, Judge for the Leader of the Year Award, sees these awards as a chance to highlight true industry transformation: "Judging the Inspiring Women in CX Awards is an opportunity to highlight those changemakers—the women who aren’t just talking about customer-centricity but are proving its value every day. I’m excited to celebrate their achievements, amplify their influence, and push the conversation beyond recognition toward real industry transformation."
Judge for the Culture Award, Kerry Sudale, highlights the need for women to own their achievements: "Often women's stories are pushed into the background, with them often diminishing their own contribution for fear of being perceived as arrogant. A forum for them to shout loudly and proudly is awesome!"
“Often women's stories are pushed into the background, with them often diminishing their own contribution for fear of being perceived as arrogant.”
Michelle Ansell, Judge for the Woman in CX Technology Award, stresses the broader impact of recognition: "Women bring unique insights, empathy, and innovative approaches that are essential to creating truly customer-centric experiences."
Eager to spotlight the unsung heroes of the industry, Anne Nyachomba, Judge for the Innovation Award, is looking forward to “hearing the stories of resilience, innovation, and impact—stories that don’t always get the recognition they deserve."
For Beth Karawan, Judge for the Solopreneur Award, this visibility is about shaping the future: "Celebrating women in these fields isn't just about recognition—it’s about shifting mindsets, creating opportunities, and ensuring that the future of CX and technology reflects the diverse needs of the people it serves."
Join Us in Celebrating Excellence
Do you know a woman who is making a real impact in customer experience or technology? Or perhaps you’re one of them? Now is the time to celebrate those driving change, breaking barriers, and shaping the future of CX.
Nominate yourself or someone you admire for the Inspiring Women in CX Awards 2025 and ensure their achievements are recognised. Submissions are open now, so don’t miss this chance to spotlight the incredible women transforming our industry.
