Diligent Elevate Awards
Recognize the leaders redefining GRC
The Diligent Elevate Awards honor trailblazers transforming governance, risk, compliance, and audit — and showing what’s possible with AI‑powered innovation. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s finalists, whose work is setting a new standard for modern GRC. Winners will be announced live at Elevate.
See the winners at ELEVATE
Shine a light on the people who make a difference
Every organization has someone who quietly keeps things on track, steers through complexity, or steps up when it matters. The Elevate Awards are your chance to give them the recognition they deserve.
Celebrate their hard work
A nomination shows them their efforts matter — and that others see the impact they’re making across governance, risk or compliance.
Share their success more widely
Honorees are featured across Diligent channels, helping their story reach the audiences who should hear it: executives, boards, peers and the broader GRC community.
Give a boost to their career
Public recognition signals leadership and momentum. It helps champions inside your organization get the visibility they’ve learned.
See who made the list
We’re pleased to recognize the following clients as finalists in their respective 2026 Diligent Elevate Award Categories.
Boardroom AI Innovator
For board leaders using AI to strengthen oversight
For board leaders using AI to strengthen oversight This award recognizes someone who brings AI into the boardroom in a thoughtful, strategic way — using insights to improve decisionmaking, streamline board operations, and help their organization move faster and smarter.
Assore Holdings Proprietary Limited
Janine Govender, Group Company Secretary
Barclays
Sarah Hollinsworth, Chief of Staff, Barclays Corporate Secretariat
Novartis AG
Matthias Haenggi, Head Digital Solutions
Purolator Inc.
Roman Lalich, Director & Assistant Corporate Secretary
Salvation Army General Insurance
Arran Gray, Chief Operating Officer
Algoma Steel
Anita Casola, Assistant Corporate Secretary, Executive Administrator
Governance Pioneer
For legal and governance professionals pushing the function forward
This category celebrates someone who goes beyond traditional governance responsibilities - modernizing processes, unifiying risk and compliance efforts, and shaping how good governance drives real organizational impact.
Marmon Holdings, Inc.
Emma Mathurin, Lead Paralegal - Corporate Governance
Alter Domus
Simon East, Company Secretary Lead - UK
American Water Works Company
Jeffrey Taylor, Senior Vice President
Delta
Alan Rosselot, Associate General Counsel & Assistant Secretary
Pearson Plc
Laura Navin, Executive Assistant, Group Company Secretarial and Liaison to Pearson plc Board
TIAA
Jeanne Zelnick, Senior Director, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary
The Vanguard Group
Brian Cleary, Board Relationship Manager
Vantive US Healthcare LLC
Kristyn Kelly, Legal Manager, Corporate Governance & Licensing
Voya Financial
Melissa O'Donnell, Senior Paralegal
GRC Conductor
For general counsels orchestrating risk, compliance and governance through AI
This award recognizes a General Counsel who serves as the central conductor of enterprise risk, compliance, and governance — applying AI with discipline and judgment to align legal, risk, audit, and compliance functions while maintaining accountability and board confidence.
Amplify Education, Inc.
Inna Barmash, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary
Canal Financial Group, Inc.
Andrew Colvin, Vice-President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
CBCL
Melanie McGrath, General Counsel
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.
Effie D. Silva, SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Dell
Lavonne Burke, Global Vice President, Legal Security Resiliency, Digital & AI
ELCO Mutual Life and Annuity
Eric Myers, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
Corporate Changemaker
For leaders using AI to drive meaningful organizational change
This award recognizes a risk, audit or compliance leader who is transforming how their organization approaches governance by using AI with rigor and intention. These leaders turn AI‑driven insights into trusted guidance for boards and executives, modernize risk, audit and compliance practices beyond traditional reporting, and strengthen assurance through clear controls, accountability and well‑governed AI use.
The Coca-Cola Company
Sean Pinto, Director - Compliance, Analytics and Technology
Discovery Silver Corp.
Suzanne VanSligtenhorst, Director, Corporate Governance and Assistant Corporate Secretary
Gates Corporation
Ryon Pulsipher, VP Global Internal Audit
Novelis Inc.
Dana Boyd, Sr. Internal Auditor
Palo Alto Networks
Dave Cope, Director, Compliance and Investigations
Heico Companies
Ed Levy, Internal Audit Director
Wellcome Trust
Fraser Simpson, Enterprise Strategy, Governance & Ethics Leader
Community Trust Builder
For public-sector leaders strengthening trust and delivering mission-driven results
This award recognizes someone in government or the broader public sector who leads with integrity and transparency — improving outcomes for their community while modeling values-based leadership.
Pioneer Library System
Janet Armbrister, Executive Business Specialist
Polk County Public Schools
Yvette Vega, Executive Assistant
School District of Riverview Gardens
Sha Fields, Coordinator Board Governance
Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County
Cheree Gulley, Executive Director
Katy Independent School District
Debbie Davies, Secretary for Board Services
Maricopa Community College District
Shannon Chavez, Chief Compliance Officer
University of Colorado
Amber McDonnell, Director of Board Operations for the Board of Regents
Mission Trailblazer
For nonprofit and highered leaders driving meaningful mission impact
This category honors someone who strengthens their organization’s mission through strong governance, collaboration, and effective stakeholder engagement.
Cornell University
Curtis Josey, Associate Director, Analytics & Data Strategy
Florida A&M University Board of Trustees
Deidre Melton, Associate VP of Enterprise Risk Management & Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Habitat for Humanity International
Susie DeTitta, Director, Board Liaison & Governance Support
Hilton Grand Vacations
Elizabeth Paucar, Association Management Services Manager
Rochester Institute of Technology
Denise Acton, Assistant Secretary of the University
Texas Health Resources Inc
Lori Myers, Director IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance
National Geographic Society
Leah Bullard, Manager, Board Relations & Leadership Support
UNICEF
Agna Diallo, Manager, Business Analysis
Atlanta GA