INSPIRING WOMEN IN CX
AWARDS 2026
Welcome to the Inspiring Women in CX Awards 2026!
These awards celebrate and recognise the extraordinary women shaping customer experience and technology. Our mission is to break barriers, push boundaries, and showcase the incredible achievements of women in our industry from across the globe.
You Can Either
Nominate yourself
to share your story and inspire others
OR
Nominate someone
to honour their achievements and help them gain the recognition they deserve.
This is Her Moment
As women in CX or technology, our work matters, more than you might realise.
Yet, in a world where progress on diversity, equity and inclusion is under threat, too often, the incredible contributions of women go unnoticed.
We’re here to change that.
Women make up 70% of the CX workforce but hold only 30% of management roles. Men are more likely to be visible and celebrated for their achievements. But you—the women driving real impact—deserve the spotlight, too.
With our unique ability to lead collaboratively, think empathetically, and create long-term solutions that benefit businesses and communities alike, women are shaping the future of CX and technology. This is why we created the Inspiring Women in CX Awards: to amplify their voices and recognise the work they do.
This awards program is free to enter and designed to ensure fairness and accessibility for all women (and allies), regardless of background or resources. Unlike other industry awards, we’re putting women’s achievements front and centre because we believe in creating role models who inspire the next generation.
Our Award Categories
Learn about past winners here!
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In recognition of a woman using artificial intelligence to improve customer or employee experiences responsibly. She has applied AI to solve a meaningful problem, support better decisions or redesign how work gets done, while considering trust, fairness, transparency, privacy and human accountability.
Judges will look for:
A clearly defined customer, employee or organisational problem.
Evidence that AI was appropriate to the problem, rather than introduced for its own sake.
The nominee’s personal contribution to the work.
Meaningful and measurable outcomes.
Consideration of potential risks, unintended consequences and affected groups.
Appropriate human oversight, accountability or safeguards.
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In recognition of a woman whose work has influenced Customer Experience beyond a single organisation. Her contribution may be made through consulting, research, education, community-building, thought leadership or the development of new practices that others have adopted or learned from.
Judges will look for:
A clear and original contribution to the CX profession.
Evidence that the work has reached or influenced people across multiple organisations.
Practical impact, rather than visibility or personal profile alone.
Evidence that others have applied, adopted or benefited from the nominee’s work.
Generosity in sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for others.
A sustained contribution to the development of the profession.
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In recognition of a woman who has used design to create better experiences for customers, employees or communities. She has turned human insight into intentional change by improving a journey, service, product, process or system.
Judges will look for:
A clear understanding of the people, needs and context being designed for.
Evidence that customers, employees or communities informed the design process.
The nominee’s personal contribution and design leadership.
How competing human, operational and commercial requirements were addressed.
Evidence of testing, learning and iteration.
Measurable improvements for people and the organisation.
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In recognition of an individual who has taken sustained, practical action to advance women in Customer Experience. This person has used their influence, position or access to remove barriers, create opportunities, amplify women’s expertise or challenge practices that limit women’s participation and progression.
This award is open to people of any gender. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Judges will look for:
Specific actions taken, rather than statements of support or good intentions.
Evidence that the nominee used their influence, access or authority constructively.
The barriers or inequities their actions addressed.
Testimony from women who directly experienced or benefited from the nominee’s allyship.
Tangible changes in access, opportunity, recognition or progression.
Evidence of sustained commitment rather than a single intervention.
* Open to all gender identities.
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In recognition of a woman who has improved the conditions in which people serve customers and do their best work. She has redesigned employee journeys, tools, processes, leadership practices or working environments to remove friction and enable better outcomes.
Judges will look for:
A clear understanding of the employee problem or need.
Evidence that employees were listened to and involved in shaping the response.
The nominee’s personal contribution to the work.
Meaningful changes to employees’ everyday experience of work.
A demonstrable connection between employee experience and customer outcomes.
Measurable improvements for employees, customers or the organisation.
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In recognition of a woman who has made sure customers' needs, experiences, and outcomes influence organisational decisions. She may work in customer service, success, operations, product, insight, marketing or another function, but has demonstrated the courage and persistence to challenge decisions, represent overlooked customer needs and turn customer advocacy into practical action.
Judges will look for:
A specific decision, practice or blind spot where customer needs were being overlooked or under-represented.
Evidence of the nominee's courage and persistence in raising or challenging this, even where it was difficult or unpopular to do so.
The nominee's personal role in representing customer needs and turning advocacy into practical action.
How she navigated resistance, competing priorities or organisational inertia.
The change that resulted from her advocacy.
Measurable or demonstrable improvements for customers, and evidence of a lasting shift in how the organisation considers customer needs.
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In recognition of a woman who has led substantial organisational change to deliver better outcomes for customers, employees and the business. She has moved beyond isolated improvements to reshape the systems, processes, capabilities, behaviours or operating models that determine how experiences are delivered.
Judges will look for:
The scale and significance of the transformation.
A clear connection between the change and identified customer needs.
The nominee’s personal role in leading and sustaining the work.
Evidence of cross-functional or organisational alignment.
The barriers, resistance or complexity the nominee overcame.
Measurable and sustained customer, employee and commercial outcomes.
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In recognition of a woman who has transformed customer understanding into better decisions and demonstrable action. Her work may involve research, Voice of the Customer, behavioural insight, customer data or analytics, but its value lies in what changed because of that understanding—not simply in producing the insight.
Judges will look for:
The quality and relevance of the customer understanding generated.
Evidence that different customer needs and perspectives were represented.
The nominee’s role in influencing decisions or securing action.
How insight was translated into a specific organisational response.
Measurable improvements for customers, employees or the organisation.
Evidence that the work created lasting capability rather than a one-off report.
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In recognition of a woman in the earlier stages of her CX career who is already making a meaningful contribution and showing the potential to shape the future of the profession. She demonstrates the Women in CX values of courage, collaboration, inclusivity, authenticity and audacity while developing her career in her own way and on her own terms.
This award is based on career stage rather than age. It is open to women who are new to CX, including those who have moved into the profession from another career.
Judges will look for:
Evidence of meaningful contribution despite being at an earlier career stage.
Curiosity, initiative and a commitment to learning.
The courage to contribute ideas, challenge assumptions or take responsibility.
Positive influence on colleagues, customers or the wider organisation.
How the nominee demonstrates the Women in CX values.
Clear potential to make a sustained contribution to the profession.
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In recognition of a woman whose leadership is improving Customer Experience, organisational performance and the conditions in which others can succeed. She demonstrates the Women in CX values of courage, collaboration, inclusivity, authenticity and audacity and has influence within her organisation and beyond her immediate role.
Judges will look for:
A clear leadership contribution during the qualifying period.
Tangible improvements to customer and organisational outcomes.
Evidence of courageous and responsible decision-making.
The ability to build commitment across functions or levels of seniority.
How the nominee has developed, sponsored or created opportunities for others.
Evidence that her influence has created lasting change.
Begin Your Nomination
Nominate yourself or someone else whose impact you think deserves recognition.
How to Write a Great Award Entry
On 10 September, we officially opened nominations for the Inspiring Women in CX Awards™ 2026 with a free masterclass on writing award entries that reflect the true impact of your work.
Hosted by Clare Muscutt, Founder of Women in CX™, and internationally respected strategic storyteller and awards expert Ginger Conlon, the session explored why many women underestimate or undersell their achievements—and how to communicate your contribution with greater clarity, confidence and evidence.
The slides will help you:
Understand what awards judges are looking for.
Distinguish between describing activity and demonstrating impact.
Identify the outcomes and evidence that strengthen an entry.
Make your individual contribution visible within a wider team effort.
Avoid common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong submissions.
Apply the WiCX IMPACT Framework™ to structure your entry.
(You’ll also find details of the 2026 award categories, questions, judging process and everything you need to enter yourself or nominate another exceptional woman or ally.)
Timeline of Events
September 10th, 2026
October 16th, 2026
November 2nd, 2026
December 1st, 2026
Nominations Open
Nominations Close
Finalists Announcement
Winners Announced
Award FAQs
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The Inspiring Women in CX Awards are open to recognise anyone who identifies as a woman and who works in and around the field of CX and Technology.
In 2026, we have introduced the ‘Ally of the Year’ award to celebrate anyone actively working to support and amplify women in cx and technology.
Nominees do not have to be paid members of the Women in CX community.
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Anyone, whether a member of the Women in CX community or not, can nominate either themselves or another woman to enter for an award.
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The Responsible AI Award
In recognition of women using artificial intelligence to improve customer or employee experiences responsibly. These women are applying AI to solve meaningful problems, support better decisions or redesign how work gets done—while paying close attention to trust, fairness, transparency and human accountability. Nominations should demonstrate the outcomes achieved, not simply the technology introduced.The Experience Design Award
In recognition of women who use design to create better experiences for customers, employees or communities. These women turn insight into intentional change by improving journeys, services, products, processes or systems. Their work demonstrates a clear understanding of human needs and has delivered measurable improvements to both people and the organisation.The Industry Impact Award
For women whose work has influenced CX beyond one organisation—through consulting, research, education, community-building, thought leadership or the development of new practice.The Ally of the Year Award
Recognising an individual who has taken sustained, practical action to advance women in Customer Experience. This person has used their influence, position or access to remove barriers, create opportunities, amplify women’s expertise or challenge practices that limit women’s participation and progression. Nominations must demonstrate what the individual did, who benefited and what changed as a result.The Customer Champion Award
Recognising a woman who has made sure customers’ needs, experiences and outcomes influence organisational decisions. She may work in customer service, operations, product, insight, marketing or another function, but has demonstrated the courage and persistence to challenge decisions, represent overlooked customer needs and turn customer advocacy into practical action.The Employee Experience Award
In recognition of women who have improved the conditions in which people serve customers and do their best work. These women have redesigned employee journeys, tools, processes, leadership practices or working environments to remove friction and enable better outcomes. Nominations should demonstrate a clear connection between the employee experience created and its impact on customers, colleagues or organisational performance.The Customer Insight and Intelligence Award
Recognising a woman who has transformed customer understanding into better decisions and demonstrable action. This could include research, Voice of the Customer, behavioural insight, data and analytics—but the award would be for what changed because of the insight, not simply for producing it.The Customer Experience Transformation Award
In recognition of women who have led substantial organisational change to deliver better outcomes for customers, employees and the business. These women have moved beyond isolated improvements to reshape the systems, processes, capabilities or operating models that influence how experiences are delivered. Nominations should demonstrate the nominee’s role in leading the transformation, the barriers she overcame and the measurable, sustained impact of the change.The Rising Star Award
In recognition of the women in the pipeline of up-and-coming industry talent who are set for a bright future ahead. These women inspire others by role modelling the Women in CX values of courage, collaboration, inclusivity, authenticity and audacity and are taking bold steps to shape their careers, in their own way, on their own terms.The Leader of the Year Award
This award recognises women who are at the forefront of leading customer experience and technology. These women inspire by role modelling the Women in CX values of courage, collaboration, inclusivity, authenticity and audacity. They are highly influential on their organisation, the people they work with and the wider community. These women have demonstrated a tangible impact on business performance through the CX initiatives they have led and are undoubtedly paving the way for others to succeed through their commitment to the development of others.
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To nominate yourself or another woman, simply complete the Awards Nomination Form on our website.
If you’re nominating someone else, they will receive an email from us, telling them that they have been nominated, which category they have been nominated in, and who nominated them. From here they will be offered the opportunity to complete their own entry.
For each category, nominees will be required to submit 3-4 written statements about why they should win, followed by an optional 5-page document of supporting evidence, including specific examples of testimonials, project details, or metrics, to substantiate their achievements.
To see what statements that will need to be provided, simply select ‘I am nominating myself’, select the category and view the questions.
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All you need to do is provide their name, email and the category you are nominating them for.
Nominees will need to complete the entry form themselves and provide supporting evidence.
We notify the nominee that they have been nominated, who nominated and what category they have been nominated in.
You are welcome to follow up and tell them directly why you nominated them if you so wish. But there is no further follow up required to nominate someone else for an award.
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You will be asked to demonstrate your approach, results and impact though a set of questions and asked to provide supporting evidence.
The judges will score entries based on how well you demonstrate this so think about backing up your entry with context information, testimonials, KPI changes, numbers and results.
Any evidence submitted will remain highly confidential.
Each category has an independent judging panel, led by one of our Head Judges.
Judges have been given clear, objective scoring criteria and will be marking entries independently.
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No.
Unlike many other awards, this is not a popularity contest.
One nomination grants access to enter the awards category.
Multiple nominations for the same individual in the same category still count as one entry.
And remember - you can nominate yourself as well as nominating others.
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Nominations close on the 16th of October.
All nominees will be notified by email and receive an ‘I was nominated for the Inspiring Women in CX Awards’ badge.
Finalists will be announced on November 2nd and receive a personalised ‘Finalists’ badge.
Winners will be announced online on 1st of December.
Winners will receive their own media kit and profile-raising opportunities by email.
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Inspiring Women in CX award winners will receive an engraved trophy, promotional badges, the opportunity to appear on the Inspiring Women in CX podcast with Women in CX Founder, Clare Muscutt, and opportunities to be featured in a number of other profile-raising activities.