HR.com has announced the winners of its 2026 Employee Experience Awards, honoring standout technologies and HR leaders that are elevating the employee experience and delivering measurable impact across the workforce. The awards recognize innovations and strategies that drive engagement, retention, and performance in today's competitive talent landscape.
The Best Employee Experience Platform Award was presented to Semos Cloud for its People and Culture Intelligence Platform. This AI-powered solution integrates Total Rewards, Employee Communications, and Talent Development into a unified system, with deep integration into leading HR systems such as SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Oracle Cloud HCM. The platform enables organizations to increase engagement, reduce turnover, and strengthen manager effectiveness, positioning HR as a strategic driver of culture and performance. More details on the award can be found at HR.com Awards.
The Most Engaging Employee Experience Award was given to Kimberly Cole, EVP of Human Capital at 9th Way Insignia. Cole is redefining employee experience through programs that enhance engagement, development, and retention. Her initiatives, including the CyberSmart professional development program and a 360-degree performance review system, expand growth opportunities and deliver measurable results. Through values-based recognition, high-touch onboarding, and ongoing connection strategies, she fosters trust, visibility, and loyalty, contributing to near-zero voluntary turnover and setting a new standard for HR excellence. For the full list of winners, visit HR.com Awards.
“Employee experience has become a critical driver of organizational success,” said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. “This year’s award winners are setting a new standard by combining innovation, technology, and human-centered strategies to create workplaces where employees can truly thrive.”
The announcement underscores the growing importance of employee experience as organizations seek to attract and retain top talent. By leveraging advanced technologies like Semos Cloud's platform and implementing creative programs as demonstrated by Kimberly Cole, companies can achieve significant improvements in engagement and retention. These awards highlight best practices that can serve as benchmarks for HR professionals aiming to enhance their own employee experience strategies.
