As summer comes to an end, it’s time to trade in that sunscreen for sequins because CAP Awards Week is almost here! We’ve just wrapped up a history-making application period for the 3rd annual CAP Awards, with over 50 unique organizations applying–many in multiple categories! The buzz is real, and for good reason: this has been our most impressive year ever. And now, it’s time to celebrate!
Mark your calendars for Awards Week from September 16th to 20th, when we’ll be rolling out the (virtual) red carpet to honor the standout leaders and organizations who are redefining what advocacy means.
Designed to celebrate the trailblazers pushing the boundaries of customer advocacy, the CAP Awards stand out from the crowd. Holding true to our commitment to authenticity and transparency, our winners are chosen based on real work and measurable impact, not backstage politics or biased judgments. This year, our esteemed panel of judges face the impossible task of selecting winners in each of the seven categories: Advocacy Program Brand, Advocate Engagement Campaign, CS Advocacy Accelerator (new for 2024!), Advocate of the Year, Lifecycle Advocacy, The Advocacy Mindset, and Exceptional Advocacy Portfolio.
Meet the Judges: Inside the CAP Awards Decision-Making
Before we dive into this year’s finalists, let’s meet our judges–the experts who make the CAP Awards particularly extraordinary. We’ve assembled a panel of seven judges with unparalleled industry experience, each hand-selected for their deep understanding of advocacy and engagement and proven ability to distinguish true innovation and impact from hype.
Unlike other award programs that rely on popular votes or offer judging spots to event sponsors, the CAP Awards uphold a rigorous and impartial selection process. Our judges aren’t here because of sponsorships or popularity; they’re here because they have expertise that enables them to cut through the fluff and identify the strategies, programs, and people making genuine contributions to the industry.
Being chosen for a CAP Award is a significant achievement because it means your work has been evaluated by those who truly know their stuff. It’s not just about recognition; it’s about acknowledgment from the best in the business. Here are the 2024 CAP Awards judges:
- Jim Williams, CMO, Uptempo
- Jeni Asaba, Head of Community, Jamf
- Kevin Lau, VP, Customer Engagement, Freshworks
- Allyson Havener, CMO, TrustRadius
- Ari Hoffman, VP, Customer Marketing and Advocacy, Amplitude
- Lukas Alexander, VP, Customer Success, ChurnZero
- Rich Millington, Founder, Feverbee
These judges are spotlighting our community's incredible achievements and demonstrating the transformative power of customer advocacy. Get ready to celebrate the stories, the programs, and the stars behind our community!
Celebrating Excellence: The 2024 CAP Awards Finalists
Now that you've met our stellar panel of judges, it's time to unveil the exceptional finalists who have made their mark in customer advocacy this year.
Advocacy Program Brand
This category celebrates brands that aren’t just recognized—they’re revered. With a brand identity that resonates with customers and industry peers alike, this award celebrates the gold standard in advocacy branding.
Our 2024 finalists:
- Cisco | Cisco Insider (submitted by Nicholas D’Amato)
- Chainalysis | Chainalysis Pioneers (submitted by Evan Jacobs)
- The Access Group | Access Voices (submitted by Rakshitha Leitao)
Advocate Engagement Campaign
In this category, we honor an advocacy campaign that knows no bounds—combining innovation, unforgettable customer experiences, and engagement strategies that drive measurable success.
Our 2024 finalists:
- Workleap | Employee Experience Leader Program Campaign (submitted by Rob Ayre)
- Intercom | #Fin5000 Campaign (submitted by Kate Sugrue)
- Amplitude | Aha Moments Campaign (submitted by Conner Sunday)
CS Advocacy Accelerator (NEW!)
This newcomer category shines a spotlight on a customer success professional who’s not just a team player—they’re a growth driver, sparking customer advocacy through their dedication and commitment to the industry.
Our 2024 finalists:
- Gabrielle Herrera | Marketing Manager, Customer Advocacy, HubSpot
- Nisarg Mehta | Customer Success Manager, BrowserStack
- Brittany Pais | VP, Customer Experience, Lytho
Advocate of the Year
Meet the superstar advocate that every organization dreams of having. These individuals partner cross-functionally to create immense value, exemplifying what it means to be the ideal customer advocate.
Our 2024 finalists:
- Maxine Gardner, Lenovo (nominated by TMF Group)
- Joacim Wicander, Conscia (nominated by Cisco)
- Chris Yates, Republic Bank (nominated by Redgate Software)
- Dr. Thomas Eifert, RWTH Aachen University (nominated by Hitachi Vantara)
Lifecycle Advocacy
This award recognizes an advocacy program that’s mastered the art of integration, embedding advocate engagement into every stage of the customer journey. They’re living proof that advocacy isn’t just a platform—it’s a practice.
Our 2024 finalists:
- AlphaSense (submitted by Jenna Feldman)
- Ad Astra (submitted by Nicole Dingley)
- Lytho (submitted by Brittany Pais)
The Advocacy Mindset
This category is about the pros who have turned relationship-building into an art form. They effortlessly connect with customers, creating bonds that fuel business growth.
Our 2024 finalists:
- Kristen Auguste, Siemens (nominated by Maria Colusi)
- Louise Domeisen, Redgate Software (self-nominated)
- Jeanne Nitschke, Motive (nominated by Liz McGraw)
Exceptional Advocacy Portfolio
This award celebrates a portfolio that’s truly ahead of its time—showcasing the evolution of customer advocacy and the teams behind it. It’s all about exceptional brand, alignment, and a vision that takes advocacy to the next level.
Our 2024 finalists:
- Lenovo (submitted by Alyssa Maschi)
- Hyland Software (submitted by Melissa Pezzin)
- Trimble (submitted by Kati Viscaino)
While we wish we could award everyone, our commitment to transparency means honoring the best of the best. So, stay tuned, and get ready to celebrate your peers during CAP Awards Week, September 16-20. Check out the schedule below and visit our Awards Week page to have calendar invites sent to you for your favorite categories—you won’t want to miss it!
And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest advocacy content and best practices, along with more exciting CAP Awards content, including interviews and in-depth spotlights on finalists and winners.
