Meet the 2025 Stormies Winners: Powering the Future of the Digital Employee Experience

Table of Contents

• The Catalyst Award
  
  
• The Connector Award
  
  
• The AI Trailblazer Award
  
  
• The Visionary Award
  
  
• The Partner Impact Award
  
  
• The Changemaker Award
  
  
• The Amplifier Award
  
  
• The Propeller Award

The Stormies Digital Employee Experience (DEX) Awards honor the trailblazers redefining how we work, connect, and thrive through technology. Each year, these awards spotlight the innovators transforming everyday digital interactions into powerful, human-centered experiences that empower employees and elevate organizations.

This year’s Stormies celebrate the programs and leaders pushing the boundaries of what great digital employee experience looks like in 2025. From seamless collaboration to smarter adoption strategies, these winners are setting new standards for how technology fuels engagement and productivity.

Join us as we spotlight the 2025 Stormies winners—the forward-thinkers shaping the future of the digital workplace and inspiring what’s next in employee experience innovation.

The Catalyst Award

Every organization needs a spark. The Catalyst Award recognizes those who ignite meaningful change through technology and turn new tools into lasting impact.

Catalyst Award recipients are the people who make digital transformation stick. They empower their teams, inspire adoption, and build momentum that reaches across the organization. Their work shows that when innovation is paired with purpose, technology becomes more than software—it becomes part of the culture.

The Catalyst Award Winner

Sally Wiedenbeck at Hennepin County

We’re thrilled to spotlight this year’s Catalyst Award winner, Sally Wiedenbeck at the Hennepin County, whose energy and innovation have truly set a new benchmark for what digital transformation can achieve.

This year’s Catalyst Award winner and her team demonstrated exceptional strategy in change management and user engagement. To create a smooth onboarding experience, they produced a custom-branded “Welcome to BrainStorm” video guiding employees through the platform’s desktop and mobile interfaces.

To sustain engagement, they launched Opt-In Tips & Tricks Groups featuring curated content, promoted through the video itself. The results were immediate—within the first week, users explored over 70 different Flows, far surpassing initial goals and showing strong, intuitive adoption.

These Opt-In groups also proved invaluable in environments with limited communication channels, delivering targeted, user-driven learning through drip campaigns. By combining the BrainStorm Platform, thoughtful communication strategy, and creative video tools, the team set a standout example of how to spark lasting digital adoption.

The Connector Award

The Connector Award recognizes teams who turn collaboration into their superpower. These winners know that lasting digital adoption doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives when departments unite behind a shared vision.

Honorees in this category have built powerful partnerships across IT, HR, Learning & Development, Communications, and beyond. By bridging gaps and aligning goals, they’ve amplified the impact of their adoption initiatives and created a more connected, empowered workplace.

The Connector Award Winner

Libby Taylor at Agilent Technologies

This year's Connector Award goes to Libby Taylor at Agilent Technologies, whose leadership exemplifies the power of collaboration. 

Libby spearheaded the enterprise-wide expansion of the BrainStorm Platform beyond IT, bringing together 21 Learning and Development professionals from HR and other business units as content administrators.

By leveraging established groups like the Learning Council and Governance Board, she showcased BrainStorm’s capabilities and inspired broad participation across departments. Through targeted training and personalized onboarding, Libby empowered new administrators to take ownership and drive meaningful adoption.

Her ongoing engagement and strategic enablement have strengthened cross-departmental connections, expanded platform utilization, and sparked a culture of shared learning. Libby’s efforts stand as a model for how collaboration fuels lasting digital transformation.

The AI Trailblazer Award

The AI Trailblazer Award honors the forward-thinkers who are leading the charge into the future of work. These innovators embrace emerging technologies like Copilot for Microsoft 365 and other generative AI tools—not just for efficiency, but to empower people in new and meaningful ways.

Recipients of this award have guided their organizations through the early stages of AI adoption with clarity, empathy, and vision. By pairing technology with thoughtful change management, they’re proving that successful AI integration begins with people, not platforms.

The AI Trailblazer Award Winner

Brad Ransbury at City of Corona

The AI Trailblazer Award honors the forward-thinkers who are leading the charge into the future of work. These innovators embrace emerging technologies like Copilot for Microsoft 365 and other generative AI tools—not just for efficiency, but to empower people in new and meaningful ways.

Recipients of this award have guided their organizations through the early stages of AI adoption with clarity, empathy, and vision. By pairing technology with thoughtful change management, they’re proving that successful AI integration begins with people, not platforms.

We’re proud to recognize this year’s AI Trailblazer Award winner, whose leadership has set a new standard for thoughtful, people-first innovation in the age of AI.

Brad led a transformative rollout of Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365, guided by a listen-first, data-informed strategy that kept people at the heart of innovation. By using tools like Darwin AI and complementary assessments, the team uncovered real workflow needs and patterns of employee experimentation that shaped their approach.

Through build–measure–learn cycles, they piloted Copilot with small groups, gathered feedback, and refined their guidance for broader adoption. Early success paved the way for a citywide rollout, supported by strong governance foundations such as data loss prevention, Conditional Access, and “prompt responsibly” training to ensure secure and scalable use.

This initiative stands as a model for responsible AI adoption—one that builds trust, empowers employees, and demonstrates how human-centered strategy can turn emerging technology into lasting organizational impact.

The Visionary Award

The Visionary Award celebrates the forward-thinkers who see the bigger picture of digital transformation. These leaders bridge the gap between technology partners and organizations, building connections that turn adoption into lasting impact.

Honorees in this category have championed collaboration to simplify and centralize end-user education through the BrainStorm Platform, creating cohesive learning experiences that help every employee succeed. Their vision drives not just adoption, but alignment—uniting people, partners, and technology toward a shared future of smarter, more connected workplaces.

The Visionary Award Honorable Mention

LaShae Coplind at Exela Pharma Sciences

We’re pleased to share that LaShae Coplind received an honorable mention for this award, recognizing her exceptional achievements that truly deserve to be celebrated.

LaShae has shown remarkable dedication in leading her organization’s transition to the new BrainStorm Platform. Thanks to her determination and hands-on approach, an impressive 812 out of 826 users joined the platform in just one month—driving more than 11,000 interactions. Her commitment and results exemplify the spirit of innovation and engagement that the Visionary Award celebrates.

The Visionary Award Winner

Philip Tepper at Frederick County

LaShae’s dedication set a high bar for innovation and impact. Building on that spirit, we’re proud to announce this year’s Visionary Award winner, recognized for driving transformative partnerships and empowering teams across the organization.

Under the leadership of Philip Tepper, the project team successfully piloted and rolled out Microsoft 365 Copilot for GCC, setting a new standard for people-centered innovation. Philip championed the use of generative AI to enhance decision-making and efficiency across the organization.

The rollout prioritized guidance over mandates, encouraging voluntary adoption and positioning Copilot as a gateway to the broader Microsoft 365 suite. A champions program representing every business unit helped drive engagement, supported by BrainStorm QuickHelp, Microsoft resources, and ongoing training sessions.

With strategic input from Gartner and strong executive sponsorship, the initiative fostered collaboration, boosted productivity, and earned regional recognition as a model for responsible AI adoption. The results demonstrate how vision and leadership can turn innovation into meaningful, lasting impact.

The Partner Impact Award

The Partner Impact Award celebrates service providers who go beyond support to create real transformation for their customers. These partners deliver comprehensive solutions that blend IT expertise, strategic guidance, and impactful learning programs—all designed to drive measurable business results and exceptional customer experiences.

The Partner Impact Award Winner

WBM Technologies

This year’s Partner Impact Award goes to WBM Technologies, a standout partner leading the way in helping clients migrate from QuickHelp to the BrainStorm Platform and unlock its full potential.

WBM’s team has harnessed the platform to help organizations maximize their technology investments through proactive training, custom workflows, and strategic insights. By analyzing support data and user challenges, they delivered personalized learning that drove measurable impact—saving clients over 150,000 hours, boosting collaboration tool usage by 710%, and increasing Microsoft licensing ROI by 260%.

One health insurer alone saw remarkable results, reclaiming 24 minutes per user daily, training 30+ internal champions, and improving cybersecurity readiness by 111%.

Through data-driven strategies, personalized support, and a true commitment to partnership, WBM Technologies continues to set the standard for delivering exceptional customer outcomes and transformative digital experiences.

The Changemaker Award

The Changemaker Award honors professionals who turn transformation into lasting impact. These leaders understand that real progress isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about inspiring people to embrace it.

Honorees in this category have led exceptional change management programs that guide users through transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose. By aligning vision with action, they’ve helped their organizations evolve, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.

The Changemaker Award Honorable Mention

Becky Huss at Lennox International

We’re excited to recognize an honorable mention for this year’s Changemaker Award—Becky Huss from Lennox International. Becky developed an innovative IT Security Awareness Program that has strengthened her organization’s overall security culture.

Through her leadership, participation in IT security trainings and events rose significantly, leading to a measurable reduction in security incidents. Beyond the metrics, Becky’s initiative sparked greater curiosity among employees about corporate security practices and even encouraged them to think about protecting their own families online.

Her work embodies the spirit of the Changemaker Award—driving meaningful, people-centered change that extends well beyond the workplace.

Becky’s achievements exemplify the power of purposeful change. Continuing that spirit, we’re proud to announce this year’s Changemaker Award winner, recognized for creating lasting impact across their organization.

The Changemaker Award Winner

Tyler Nitta at Simpson Strong-Tie

Tyler exemplified the power of proactive leadership and thoughtful strategy. Taking initiative well before a mandatory rollout, this leader championed OneDrive adoption through a people-first approach focused on empowerment rather than enforcement.

By delivering targeted communications and engaging content, they built trust, sparked enthusiasm, and turned adoption into genuine collaboration. Their efforts led to remarkable growth in both usage and engagement—driven by curiosity, not compliance.

Through transparent storytelling and regular updates shared with leadership, this changemaker created lasting momentum and inspired organizational buy-in. Their success proves how clear strategy, communication, and partnership can turn technology adoption into measurable impact.

The Amplifier Award

The Amplifier Award recognizes professionals who know how to make technology adoption impossible to ignore. These communicators use creativity, strategy, and storytelling to spark awareness and excitement around workplace tools—turning messages into momentum.

Honorees in this category have designed innovative campaigns that connect with employees where they are, amplify engagement, and inspire action. Their work proves that great communication isn’t just about information—it’s about transformation.

The Amplifier Award Honorable Mention

Kristin Schwartz at California State Lands Commission

Every great message deserves to be amplified—and this year, one communicator took that idea to heart. We’re thrilled to recognize an honorable mention for the Amplifier Award, celebrating a professional whose creativity and persistence made a big impact across their organization.

We’re proud to recognize Kristin with an honorable mention for this year’s Amplifier Award for her innovative approach to communication and enablement. Kristin led the organization’s transition from QuickHelp to the BrainStorm Platform, driving readiness and adoption across the company through clarity, creativity, and connection.

She developed a custom API integration that brings BrainStorm content directly into the company’s SharePoint intranet, making training resources simple and seamless to access. By coordinating executive and manager communications, Kristin positioned BrainStorm as the company’s central learning hub and transformed how employees engage with training.

Her efforts amplified awareness, accessibility, and adoption—proving that strategic communication is one of the most powerful tools for change.

The Amplifier Award Winner

Ashley Paquette at Bechtel

After celebrating Kristin’s outstanding honorable mention, we turn to this year’s Amplifier Award winner—a leader whose inventive campaigns and communication strategy have redefined what it means to engage and inspire.

This year’s Amplifier Award goes to Ashley, whose creativity and communication strategy have transformed how her organization learns and connects through BrainStorm.

Ashley has elevated internal communication into an art form—designing monthly campaigns with a unique, branded twist that perfectly reflects Bechtel’s identity. Every email, every post, and every message feels intentional, cohesive, and inspiring.

Her thoughtful approach paid off in a big way. During Bechtel’s Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout, Ashley’s efforts helped the team reach an impressive 65% adoption rate—faster than anyone anticipated. Behind that success were smart systems, coordinated messaging, and a deep understanding of how people engage with content.

Ashley continues to refine her outreach by improving discoverability and engagement tracking, empowering colleagues to build skills and confidence through communication that truly resonates. Her work exemplifies what it means to amplify learning and drive adoption with purpose and creativity.

The Propeller Award

The Propeller Award honors leaders who keep the digital workplace moving forward. These individuals embody innovation, influence, and impact—driving progress through visionary leadership and exceptional execution.

Recipients of this award are recognized experts and forward-thinkers in digital workplace management, leading the charge in end-user software adoption and elevating the digital employee experience. They don’t just adapt to change—they propel it.

Double the innovation, double the impact—this year’s Propeller Award goes to two incredible leaders who continue to push the digital workplace forward.

The Propeller Award Winner

John Vaughn at Children's Minnesota

John has been a driving force behind Children’s Minnesota’s digital transformation—from launching Outlook during the pandemic to leading the rollout of Microsoft 365 and empowering staff through the BrainStorm Platform. His leadership stands out not only for its technical excellence but for its human focus—ensuring every digital initiative begins and ends with people.

John has built the structure, engagement, and culture needed to make technology truly work for its users. Through self-guided learning in BrainStorm, he’s helped staff build confidence, reduce support requests, and accelerate adoption. The result is a sustainable, user-centric digital environment that advances both operational efficiency and digital maturity.

John’s work exemplifies what the Propeller Award represents—leadership that moves organizations forward by combining innovation with empathy.

John’s achievements set an inspiring standard for digital leadership. Continuing that momentum, we’re thrilled to recognize a second Propeller Award winner whose impact has been equally transformative.

The Propeller Award Winner

Mattel

Our second Propeller Award winner, Mattel, has fully integrated the BrainStorm Platform as the foundation for all organizational IT learning—from internal AI training programs to company-wide initiatives. Their forward-thinking approach is redefining how large enterprises build digital confidence and capability.

Currently, the team is designing innovative training for an organization-wide transition that touches every employee, creating custom learning experiences for 90 distinct roles. This thoughtful design ensures that every team member receives relevant, meaningful guidance through change.

The program’s success reflects strong alignment and commitment, marked by a seamless leadership transition from D’Naya Collins to Brett Popiel. Mattel continues to expand BrainStorm’s impact across departments, including collaboration with Fisher Price’s Learning & Development team, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and digital growth.

If you’re driving digital transformation in your organization, your moment is coming. Applications for next year’s Stormies Digital Employee Experience Awards will open soon—a chance to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and impact shaping the modern workplace. Keep an eye on your inbox for nomination details and start preparing to share your story. You could be among the next group of digital experience leaders recognized at the Stormies!