2025 WoW Awards
Vote. Empower. Create Change.
The Women of Work Awards celebrate outstanding women and their allies in procurement, talent acquisition, and workforce innovation.
Celebrating Our 2025 WOW Award Winners
ULTIMATE WOW
Tamara Rashid
SVP, AgileOne
PRESIDENT'S CHOICE
Brian Clark
President, AgileOne
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Rachel Harrington
nextSource
DE&I CHAMPION
Terrina Butler
IHG
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Tamara Rashid
AgileOne
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
Keren Ben-Alta
Transamerica
MENTORSHIP IMPACT
Liz Cuthill
ALOIS
MOMPRENEUR MARVEL
Sara Jensen
IES
RISING STAR
Jamie Petriashvili
Ampcus
TRAILBLAZER
Cari French
Workday
UNSUNG HERO
Bridget Landphair
nextSource
HEforSHE ADVOCATE
Ernesto Garcia
GraceMark
Top 100 finalists Gallery
Meet the remarkable women and allies shaping the future of work. Our Top 100 Finalists represent innovation, leadership, and impact across the global talent ecosystem. Explore the gallery and get to know the leaders who will be honored live at the WoW Conference & Gala.
Celebrating Women of Work Awards
Welcome to the official guide for the Women of Work Awards, honoring exceptional women—and the allies who uplift them—across procurement, talent acquisition, and workforce innovation.
Recognizing Excellence
A tribute to women and their allies who excel in procurement and TA in the extended workforce.
Empowering Innovation
Highlighting individuals who push workforce innovation and set the standard.
Building Connections
Fostering alliances that support women’s advancement in the workplace.
✨ Celebrate Purposeful Recognition
What's new in 2025?
Review Board Oversight
Trusted leaders evaluate and score all finalists and winners before final decisions.
4-part Weighted Scoring System
Verified votes = 60%;
Interview = 30%;
Alignment with Award Category = 10%;
One Round of Voting
We’ve eliminated the second round. All public votes happen once from Aug 27 to Sep 24 and factor into both the Top 100 and final scoring.
New Award: Unsung Hero
Honors a woman making behind-the-scenes impact without self-promotion. This award celebrates humility, consistency, and service-driven leadership.
Interview Requirement
Every finalist is invited to submit a 90-second video (or written response) answering why they deserve the award.
WoW: Women of Work
RULES & Voting
👩⚖️ Nominee Eligibility
- Anyone can be nominated — no ClubVMSA membership required.
- Nominees must identify as women (for 9 awards) or men (for the HeForShe Award).
- You may nominate yourself or others — use a new form for each nomination.
- All valid nominees (with at least one nomination) will be listed in the Top 500+ WoW List.
- Finalists must attend the WoW Gala on Dec 4, 2025.
✅ General Voting Guidelines
- Anyone can vote — no membership required.
- You may vote for one nominee per award category.
- A nominee may be voted for in multiple categories, but only once per category.
- There are 9 awards for women and 1 for a man (HeForShe Advocacy Award).
- Each voter may cast only one vote per category. Duplicate votes will be filtered (by unique email)
📣 Campaigning Guidelines
Use your voice — and encourage others to use theirs — in a way that uplifts the process, supports the cause, and reflects your authentic story.
- ✅ Use the official Canva template. Personalize it with your chosen award category and ask your network to vote for you in that one category. Focusing your campaign strengthens your chances and avoids vote dilution.
- 💬 Advocate for yourself. Share why you’re a strong fit for the award — highlight your contributions, your journey, and what this recognition would mean to you.
- 🧠 Encourage thoughtful votes. Ask your supporters to complete the “Why” field with genuine reasons. Quality counts — not just quantity.
- 🚫 No vote buying or gimmicks. Offering prizes, discounts, or incentives in exchange for votes is not allowed and may lead to disqualification.
- ❤️ Campaign for the greater good. For every verified vote, GraceMark will donate $1 to programs supporting women and their families. Every vote makes a difference — literally.
🔍 Finalist Rules & Tie-Breakers
- A nominee may only appear on one Top 10 list.
- If a candidate ranks in the Top 10 for multiple awards, they will remain in the highest-ranked category.
- If tied in rank, the spot with the highest percentage of votes wins
- If still tied, the Review Board will review the “Why” responses and break the tie choosing the 10th finalist
- You must be present at the Gala in MN on Dec 4 to win.
- You may not be listed as a finalist or win an award 2 years in a row. You must campaign in another category.
🏆 Ultimate Woman of Work Award
- The 9 winners of the women’s awards become the finalists for the Ultimate WoW Award.
- At the Gala on Thursday, Dec 4, 2025, each will take the stage for a final campaign pitch.
- A live audience vote via text will determine the winner — chosen by those in the room.
🗓️ Attendance Requirement
You must be present at the WoW Conference and Gala on Dec 4, 2025 to win.
Meet Our WoW Review Board
The WoW Review Board is a select group of past winners, early champions, & industry leaders from procurement, talent, & staffing. They review nominations + help select the Top 100 Finalists and 10 Winners.
Their insight ensures a fair, transparent process that reflects the best in the extended workforce.
Aarthi Rajasekaran
Senior Category Manager - Contingent Labor @ Kaiser Permanente
Alpharetta, GA
Amy Dawson
Global Contingent Workforce Operations Manager @ LinkedIn
San Leandro, CA
Angela Alberty
Co-Founder @ myBasePay
Houston, TX
Carrie McDowell
Contingent Workforce Program Manager @ Lyft
Livermore, CA
Dipti Jain
Vice President - Strategy & Client Partnership @ Cynet Systems
Tampa, FL
Ernesto Garcia
Founder & CEO @ GraceMark Solutions
Miami, FL
Jamie Petriashvili
Vice President of Customer Success @ Ampcus- iTech Solutions
Hartford, CT
Karen Maarouf
Vice President, Global Supplier Partnership & Engagement at AgileOne
Fairfield, CT
Keren Ben-Alta
Director, External Workforce & Ops, Procurement & Vendor Mgmt @ Transamerica
Port Washington, NY
Kim Michel
Contingent Workforce Program Manager @ Light & Wonder
Beaverton, OR
Liz Cuthill
Senior Vice President Global Partnerships @ ALOIS Solutions
New Jersey
Lizzie Parnell
Extended Workforce Leader @ RSM US LLP
Atlanta, GA
Morgan McGuire
Contingent Workforce Specialist @ Nutanix
Phoenix, AZ
Prashanth Upadrashta
Vice President -Global Operations & Delivery @ TALENT Software Services
Port Plano, TX
Rachel Harrington
Program Director @ nextSource
New York, NY
Nominate Today! (July 16 - Aug 13, 2025)
Nominations
Help us recognize excellence. Your nominations matter!
Deadline
2023 Awards Nominations
Your voice is crucial in recognizing outstanding individuals. Please submit your nominations by the deadline to ensure that every deserving candidate is considered.
Submission Deadline
Awards Nomination Period
The nomination period is now open! Make sure to submit your nominations by May 15, 2023. Your participation is key to celebrating our community’s achievements!
ATTEND WoW Conference and Gala and SAVE!
Nominees get 10% off, stackable with ClubVMSA's 25% member discount
NOMINEE DISCOUNTS
-
PROVIDER MEMBER NOMINEE $1,684
Take an additional 10% off the Member Early Pricing of $1,871.25 (Down from $2,495 for members)
-
PROVIDER NOMINEE $2,246
Take 10% off Early Pricing of $2,495
-
Enterprise nominee $332
INCLUDES 2 NIGHTS IN HOTEL Exclusive for Enterprise Procurement and TA Buyers of Labor. Get 50% Your ticket including 2 nights in the hotel. Expires upon Regular pricing
Prices above do not include taxes and fees. Early Pricing ends on Sept 3, 2025.
From Nomination to Celebration
Milestones
Mark your calendar — here’s when to nominate, vote, and join us live at The Depot in Minneapolis.
Wed, July 16 - Nominations open until 12 ET, Aug 13
Join us for the grand launch of the 2025 WoW Awards! Nominations end 12pm ET W, Aug 13
Wed, Aug 27 - Vote with a Purpose until Sep 24
Every vote = $1 donated
Thanks to our sponsor GraceMark, $1 will be donated for every verified vote to support programs that help women and their families thrive.
Your voice doesn’t just uplift a nominee — it drives real-world impact.
Vote with heart. Vote with purpose. Powered by GraceMark.
Wed, Oct 1 - Top 100 Finalists Announced
Finalists will be announced on Oct. 1 — You must be present at the Gala on Dec 4th to win. Submit your Interview by Oct 15th. The Review Board will submit their final scoring by Oct. 29th.
Wed, Dec 4 - WoW Winners Announced in MN
Share your thoughts about our initiatives. Your feedback helps us improve!
The Awards
Celebrating the leaders, changemakers, and quiet powerhouses transforming how the world works.
Community Impact
Honors a woman whose work has tangibly uplifted the contingent workforce through service, advocacy, or education.
DE&I Champion
Recognizes a woman advancing equity and belonging across the extended workforce ecosystem.
Innovator of the Year
Celebrates a woman introducing bold solutions, technologies, or ideas transforming contingent workforce practices.
Leadership Excellence
Awarded to a woman whose leadership drives impact, influence, and lasting change in her organization or industry.
Mentorship Impact
Recognizes a woman who uplifts others through intentional, transformative mentorship of emerging talent.
Mompreneur Marvel
Honors a working mother successfully balancing business leadership and family with grit and grace.
Rising Star
Spotlights an emerging female leader showing extraordinary promise and early impact in her field.
Trailblazer
Given to a woman who’s forging new paths and breaking barriers in the contingent workforce space.
*NEW* Unsung Hero
Celebrates a quiet powerhouse whose behind-the-scenes contributions make a major industry impact.
HeForShe Advocate
Recognizes a male ally who actively champions women’s advancement and equity in the workplace.
Ultimate Woman of Work
Selected Live at the Gala... Chosen from the nine women’s award winners, this honor goes to the standout woman of the year.
FINALISTs - SHARE THE NEWS!
Congratulations on being recognized as a WoW: Women of Work 2025 Finalist. Now it’s time to celebrate and spread the word.
STEP 1: Customize your Graphic
- Click Customize + Post to open the Canva template.
Replace the placeholder headshot with your own.
Add your name, title, and company.
Add your logo if you like
Double-check your award category.
2. Download Your Badge
The official Finalist Badge is available on page 11 of Canva
Export as PNG with a transparent background.
Add it to your LinkedIn profile, email signature, company site, or press release.
3. Post & Celebrate
Export your design as PNG or JPG and share it on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
Be sure to include:
Hashtags:
#WoWFinalist #WomenOfWork #WomenInLeadership #ExtendedWorkforce #FutureOfWorkTags:
@wow:womenofworkand@clubvmsa
Campaign
for Votes +
Help Women
in Need
1. Locate & Copy Your Personalized Voting Link
– This is the link people will use to cast votes for you. Keep it handy.
2. Open the Canva Template
– Click the button: “View on Canva.”
– Create a free account or login
– Customize the template in Canva—no design experience required.
3. Make It Yours
– Replace the placeholder image with your headshot.
– Upload in your company logo.
– Replace “Sally Ride” with your name (add title, and company if you like).
4. Download & Share
– Export the design as PNG or JPG.
– Post it on your social media channels.
– Be sure to include your Personalized Voting Link in your post or in the !st comment.
– Tag us so we can amplify your campaign: @wow:womenofwork and @clubvmsa.
Discover Inspiring Templates Today
Explore a variety of creative templates designed to elevate your projects. Whether you’re looking for something modern or classic, there’s a style for everyone. Let your imagination run wild as you find the perfect layout that fits your vision.
FAQs
We heard your feedback. This year’s WoW Awards process is more streamlined, more transparent, and more meaningful than ever.
🆕 One Voting Round — Not Two
In 2024, we had two rounds: public voting to identify finalists, followed by a second vote for winners.
In 2025, there’s only one public vote.
That vote helps determine finalists and contributes to the final winner decision.
Finalists will not only be voted on, but they’ll also go through an interview process to better showcase their contributions and passion.
🆕 Interview Component for Finalists
To bring each nominee’s story to life, every Top 100 finalist is invited to submit a 90-second video or written response answering:
“Why do you believe you deserve this WoW Award?”
This gives depth to their nomination and ensures the Review Board sees who they are—not just how many people voted.
This year, the Review Board will have an enhanced role to ensure the voting process is transparent and fair. We want everyone to trust the outcome.
🙋♀️ Q: What is the purpose of the Review Board?
A: The Review Board exists to ensure transparency, fairness, and community representation in the WoW Awards process.
As past winners, finalists, and early top sponsors, you bring insight, integrity, and lived experience to help us:
✅ Validate nominations and ensure winners reflect WoW’s core values
🛡️ Guard the credibility of the awards through objective, community-grounded review
📢 Elevate diverse voices by contributing to categories, criteria, and outreach
🎤 Mentor the next wave of leaders — including handing off your award on stage
Ultimately, it’s about giving back, shaping the future of WoW, and keeping the movement strong, fair, and inclusive.
🎟️ Finalist Attendance Policy – You Must Be Present to Win
All finalists must attend the WoW Gala on December 4, 2025 in Minnesota to be eligible to receive a WoW Award.
🏆 If you are not planning to attend, please do not submit a nomination.
🎟️ If you do not have a ticket by Wed, September 17 at 5:00 PM ET, your finalist spot will be reassigned.
We strongly believe that recognition should happen in the room, in front of your peers, with your story celebrated live.
✅ Finalists will be announced on October 1 — but only those with confirmed attendance will be eligible.
🚨 Nominees must be available to attend the WoW Gala in Minnesota on December 4, 2025.
If selected as a finalist and no ticket is secured by September 17, 2025, your place will be forfeited.
✍️ Nomination Process
Nominations open Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET.
- Nominee’s full name, company, email
- Buyer or Provider, Gender
- Nominator’s name, email, phone
- Why they deserve this award (open text)
Deadline: August 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET
📢 Voting Process
Top 500+ nominees published August 20, 2025. Public voting opens August 27 for Top 100 finalists.
- One vote per verified email
- Voting closes September 24
- Votes reviewed for integrity and authenticity
NEW: GraceMark will donate $1 per verified vote to support women and families.
🏆 Winner Selection Criteria
- 60% Verified Votes
- 20% Interview (video or written)
- 10% Category Alignment
- 10% Ongoing Ecosystem Impact
No, Only one winner in each category. If you won last year in a certain category, you cannot be a finalist nor win in the same category.
The Review Board may conduct follow-up interviews or written Q&A. The only tie permitted is in the Ultimate Woman of Work Award conducted at the Gala Live on Dec 4, 2025 in MN.
Yes. We are committed to accessibility.
Yes. We have one award called HeForShe specifically created to celebrate our male allies.
🗓️ Key Dates
- July 16: Nominations Open
- Aug 13: Nominations Close
- Aug 20: Top 500 Published
- Aug 27: Voting Opens
- Sept 3: Early Pricing Ends
- Sept 17: Finalist Ticket Deadline
- Sept 24: Voting Closes
- Oct 1: Finalists Announced
- Oct 15: Interviews Due
- Oct 29: Winners Selected
- Dec 4: Gala in Minnesota
You can nominate someone who embodies WoW philosophy – men included. You can also vote for your favorites! And finally, you can purchase a ticket to the WoW Conference and Gala in Minneapolis, MN on Dec 3-4, 2025.
All details will be shared on our official website – www.womenofwork.org. Make sure to check back frequently for the latest updates!