At Transform 2025, organizations and individuals were honored for their commitment to innovation, creativity, and transformation in the global world of work.
The premier ecosystem connecting people-driven leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to shape the future of people and work is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Transform Awards. These awards celebrate the most impactful stories of innovation, creativity, and transformation across the global world of work.
Winners were selected by a diverse panel of seasoned change-makers, including investors, entrepreneurs, people leaders, and academics. The Transform Awards program honors 23 total Transform Awards winners across 13 designated categories and the Transform 10 individual awards.
The Transform 10 award recognizes ten of the most inspirational individuals who are challenging the status quo, and setting a new standard for people-driven leadership:
- Apple Musni, Chief People Officer, REI
- Chandra Sanders, Founder, Heels N Hustle
- Coco Brown, Founder & CEO, The Athena Alliance
- Donald Knight, Group SVP, People & Culture, Warner Bros. Discovery
- Keely Cat-Wells, Founder & CEO, Making Space
- Mark Hyman, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Function Health
- Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer, Ethena
- Sherry Rais, CEO, Enthea
- Sophia Harris, Founder & CEO, ODRG
- Terah Lawyer, President, CROP Organization
The 2025 Transform Awards categories celebrate companies with transformational initiatives:
- Difference Maker: Social Impact Initiative of the Year: TOOTRIS
- People Accelerator: L&D Program of the Year: Notion
- Mission Messenger: Employer Brand of the Year: San Francisco Giants
- Power Pair: Executive Partnership of the Year: Wagmo
- Team Builder: Connected Culture of the Year: Mission Federal Credit Union
- Inclusion Champion: DEI Initiative of the Year: Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena
- People Activator: Employee Experience of the Year: GumGum
- Team Magnet: Talent Strategy of the Year: Brightside Health
- Rewards Trailblazer: Total Rewards Strategy of the Year: Roblox
- Wellness Advocate: Well-being Program of the Year: LAIKA, LLC
- Data Master: People Reporting & Insights of the Year: Electronic Arts
- Industry Mobilizer: Inspiring Resources of the Year: Diversiology.io
- The Innovators: Transformative Tech of the Year: Corti ApS
“The Transform community continues to raise the bar,” said Samara Jaffe, Co-Founder and General Manager of Transform. “Our 2025 Award winners reflect the power of bold ideas, collaboration, and people-first leadership in shaping a better world of work—for everyone.”
The award winners were recognized and celebrated at Transform 2025, which took place from March 17 to 19, 2025. There was a community celebration and special features throughout the programming. Emcees from Good Trouble Ventures, AJ Thomas, Founder & General Partner, and Kat Steinmetz, Founding General Partner, brought energy and electricity to the event!
About Transform
Transform is the community platform that connects visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to influence strategy, drive innovation, and shape the future of people + work. Through a curated blend of our online community, annual conference, events, regional chapters, awards, social impact initiatives, and thought leadership, we foster relationships, inspire WorkTech innovation, enhance well-being, and mobilize companies for social good. For more information, visit www.transform.us. For the latest on Transform, follow us on LinkedIn.